Wahington, PA – In only his second lifetime start, Special Menu blazed to a front-end victory in 1:51.1 in Saturday’s $15,000 championship of a Pop Up Series for freshman colt and gelding pacers at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Special Menu won Saturday’s Pop Up Series Championship at The Meadows. Chris Gooden Photos.

Special Menu showed speed while winning his debut in 1:53, but this was a different kind of fast. He pocketed Aintbluenomore from the gate and, even after three quarters in 1:23.2, threw down a :27.4 closing panel for Dave Palone. The son of Stay Hungry-All The Buzz downed Aintbluenomore by 1-1/4 lengths, with Fredericktown Lad third.

Brian Brown trains Special Menu for Hutchison Harness LLC.

In Saturday’s $19,300 Open Handicap Pace, Wild Wild Western turned back late challenges inside and outside to score in 1:49.1 for Mike Wilder, trainer Norm Parker and owners Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters. It was the 38th victory in the distinguished career of the 7-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra and boosted his lifetime bankroll to $619,042. Double Metal and Risenshine Seaside completed the ticket.

Aaron Merriman and Palone each piloted three winners on the 12-race card.

Scott Betts, Redwhite N Goo draw off in Meadows GLADA trot

Scott “Bomber” Betts and Redwhite N Goo were victorious in Saturday’s GLADA Trot at The Meadows. Chris Gooden Photos.

Scott “Bomber” Betts and Redwhite N Goo waited patiently in the pocket, then easily outkicked Tom “Mayhem” Svrcek and Just Like Magic to capture Saturday’s $10,000 leg of the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Svrcek threw on the brakes in a 30.3 second panel that brought the field to the half in a slowish 59.1. But he couldn’t sprint away from Betts, who angled outside off the final turn and drew away to defeat Svrcek by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2. “I Dream of Jeannie” Rastetter (Garrett Scores) and “Soarin’” Lauren Harmon rounded out the ticket.

Betts also trains Redwhite N Goo, a 5-year-old Googoo Gaagaa-Redwhitenbluestone gelding who vaulted over $100,000 in lifetime earnings, for Tim Betts.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday (July 19), which features the draw for post positions for eliminations of the $400,000 (est) Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids. Elims are set for Saturday (July 22), with the final to go the following Saturday (July 27). First post Wednesday is 12:45 p.m.