by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — The Evictor and Mythical Hall each notched a division of Wednesday’s (July 27) $65,848 Arden Downs stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, sharing the spotlight with Dave Palone, who piloted both as part of his nine-win evening at The Meadows.

Palone, a Hall of Famer who ranks second in career wins among North American drivers, won 11 races at The Meadows on April 21, 2008 and twice before has driven 10 winners on a single card.

The Evictor trotted to a new lifetime mark of 1:55.1.

In Wednesday’s event, known as the James Manderino, The Evictor shot to the front and turned the race into a rout, jogging home in a career-best 1:55.1. The pocket-sitting Ax Man was second, 4-1/2 lengths back, with M Douglas third. The Evictor now boasts two wins and two seconds in his five starts since adding hopples, although trainer John Butenschoen says the new rigging is only one reason for his turnaround.

“He got a quarter crack in his right front,” Butenschoen said. “We put the hopples on to get him over that. We patched him, worked on his feet and went to glue-on shoes. I don’t know if we’d have put on the hopples but for the quarter crack, but it’s been a combination of things. He’s good now.”

William Wiswell and Jean Goehlen own The Evictor, a Valley Victor-Expressive Chip gelding.

Chris Gooden photos

Mythical Hall scored in 1:55.3 in his Arden Downs division.

Mythical Hall took another path to victory, trotting patiently behind Buffalino Hanover before shooting the Lightning Lane to score in 1:55.3, lowering his lifetime mark two seconds. Washingtonian closed well for second, three-quarters of a length in arrears, while Buffalino Hanover saved show.

“I always thought this horse had a ton of ability,” Palone said. “It was just a matter of getting squared away. It’s been little hiccups he had to get over. He won tonight with the earplugs in and full of himself.”

Tony Alagna trains Mythical Hall, a son of Andover Hall-Myth, for Thomas York and Joe Sbrocco.

Grand Circuit Week continues Thursday at The Meadows with the $89,034 Ned McCarr, an Arden Downs stake for 3-year-old trotting fillies, as well as the Miss Adios Contest.