by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — Livelikeurdying overcame his initial reluctance to follow the leader and kicked home in the stretch to capture Tuesday’s (March 27) $27,200 championship of the John Sitzer Memorial Pace at The Meadows and complete his sweep of the series for 3- and 4-year-old colts, horses and geldings.

Chris Gooden photo

Livelikeurdying was a 1:54 winner in the John Sitzer Memorial Pace final.

Although Livelikeurdying won his first two Sitzer splits handily, he was ahead at every call in those races and never had to sit in. When trainer/driver Randy Tharps guided him to the pocket from the gate behind Dungeon Dragon, the 4-year-old Real Artist-Yourealligottonite gelding was visibly anxious.

“He was getting a little grabby,” Tharps confirmed, “but once they got going a little more, he settled down. I wanted him on the front, but I had to bide my time.”

Livelikeurdying roared from the pocket in the lane to down Dungeon Dragon by two lengths in 1:54. The first-over What A Smile raced well for show.

Tharps said Livelikeurdying showed immediate promise when Johnson Hill, Jr. acquired him last summer.

“The first time I trained him here, it was in a monsoon,” Tharps said. “But even in those conditions, he had some go to him.”

In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace, Meirs Hanover showed no ill effects from an 18-week layoff, scoring a front-end victory in 1:51.2 for Dave Palone, trainer Ron Burke and owners David Van Dusen, Michael Cimaglio and Strollin Stable. Jojo N Goliath was second, three-quarters of a length back, with Full Of Sand third.

A 5-year-old son of Artsplace-Mary Mattgalane, Meirs Hanover now boasts career earnings of $350,307.

Mike Wilder drove three winners on the 15-race card, giving him eight victories over the past two programs.