Washington, PA — Moneyman Mikki scorched the back half in :55.2 and rolled home in Friday’s (March 8) opening leg of the Wilbur Zendt Memorial Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Battleshoe Hart captured the other $10,000 division of the event for 3- and 4-year-old horses, colts and geldings.

The series honors the memory of Wilbur Zendt, longtime trainer/driver whose descendants are pillars of racing at The Meadows.

Moneyman Mikki triumphed in a career-best 1:52.4. Chris Gooden photo.

Once Dave Palone moved Moneyman Mikki from the pocket past the quarter, he was well on his way to his third straight victory. The 4-year-old Always B Miki-Not Before Eight gelding triumphed in a career-best 1:52.4, 1-3/4 lengths better than Chiseled In Faith, while Senditin Jim rallied from well back for show. Rick Hercules trains Moneyman Miki for Jack Piatt III, Howard Alexander, Joseph Seman and William Schmid.

Battleshoe Hart dueled for the lead before settling in the pocket. His rest was brief, however, as Brady Jenson sent him to the point past the quarter. The 4-year-old Wind Me Up-Robin’s Terror gelding widened his lead in the lane, scoring by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:52, fastest win of his career. Shethinksistilcare and EA Lucky Hill completed the ticket. Dirk Simpson conditions the winner for Ben Simpson Stable.

Friday’s card also featured a pair of $21,200 Open Handicaps — one for pacers, the other on the trot.

In the trot, Warrawee Yang made it three straight with a front-end verdict for Ronnie Wrenn Jr., trainer Michael Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi. The 4-year-old son of Trixton-Endless Flirt prevailed in 1:52.4, matching his lifetime mark, to raise his career earnings to $122,176. Killer Instinct was second, beaten three-quarters of a length, while Emerald’s Legacy closed well for show.

In the pace, Wrenn and Burke completed a sweep of the overnight features when Sumomentsomwhere A held off the late charge of 22-1 longshot The Real Way and scored by a head in a career-best 1:50.4. Liteningonthebeach shot the Lightning Lane for show. It was the fourth win in the last six starts for the 7-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Special Moment gelding, who now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $147,804. Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and Jamie Durnberger-Smith campaign the winner.

Wrenn and Burke teamed for four wins on the 14-race card while Aaron Merriman also enjoyed a four-bagger.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a trio of carryovers: $886.52 in the Lucky7; $1,874.46 in the Early Pentafecta; and $745.39 in the Pick-5. First post is 12:45 p.m.