by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Scoozi withstood relentless pressure to keep his head in front and take the $35,300 final of the Murtland Avenue Pace for 3- and 4-year-old colts, horses and geldings on Monday, March 24, at The Meadows.

Dave Palone sent the son of The Panderosa to the lead, where he had to fend off the first-over move of PW Roman Lover, then survive the “Lightning Lane” charge of the 3-10 favorite, Jacked Up. Scoozi prevailed in 1:54.2, with Jacked Up and the game PW Roman Lover rounding out the ticket.

Mike Palone trains Scoozi and owns with Fran Azur and Jeffrey Jackson. Scoozi entered the Murtland Avenue off the strength of a winning streak in conditioned/claming races. With the $25,150 he earned in the series, he may not see the claiming ranks again for some time.

In the $20,000 Open/Preferred Handicap Pace, newcomer Fox Valley Armor taught the locals a lesson, going wire-to-wire despite an outside post position. The son of Sportsmaster, who had been competing in the top classes at Dover Downs, cruised home in 1:52.3, three-quarters of a length better than the pocket-sitting True North Hanover. Up Front Ohio was third.

Fox Valley Armor pushed his career bankroll to $253,421. Mickey Burke trains the 6-year-old gelding for Sylvia Burke and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

It was one of six wins on the card for Dave Palone, who also drove the day’s fastest mile, a 1:52.2 effort turned in by Dont Pinch Me in the $10,000 Murtland Avenue Consolation.