by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Oatmeister proved again Thursday that he’s the “meister” of the trot at The Meadows, winning the $20,000 Open/Preferred Handicap for the fourth time in his last seven starts — all of them from post position six or wider.

Dave Palone urged Oatmeister to the early lead, which they surrendered to Primo Spur. As Primo Spur and Heza Challenger dueled through a third quarter of :28.4, Oatmeister saved ground and waited for an opening in the stretch. When that daylight emerged, Palone tipped the son of Conway Hall off the pylons and guided him to a comfortable victory in 1:56.1. Primo Spur raced gamely to preserve second while Maingate Victory charged late to finish third.

Mickey Burke trains Oatmeister for Sylvia Burke, Jessica Hensley and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

The Thursday card marked the debut of The Meadows’ new paddock. For more than four months, the track conducted live racing from temporary facilities following the razing of its paddock and grandstand as part of racino construction.