by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — If you’re trying to solve Saturday’s (March 31) featured race at The Meadows, you may need to look inside and out — there’s a lot to like at each end of the gate. The feature, a $20,000 Preferred Pace, goes as race eight and kicks off the Pick-5. First post Saturday is 1:05 p.m.

Leaving from the rail is Stride Of Pride, who burst onto the scene last year at age four, winning 11 starts and taking a gaudy mark at The Meadows of 1:49.4.

The Manhardt-Apple G gelding hasn’t raced since Dec. 18, but he comes off a sharp qualifier for Ron Burke, who trains him for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, LLC and RTC Stables.

With such regal connections, a win first-out hardly would surprise. Dave Palone will drive.

Leaving from post seven is Hypothetical, a Dover Downs invader who joined the Dirk Simpson stable after his private acquisition by Lawrence Crawford. The 4-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-Restive Hanover, a $45,000 yearling purchase, rallied for a place finish in his Meadows debut in a high-end conditioned pace. In his last five starts, however, he hasn’t been away better than fifth.

“He’s medium sized, but well put together,” Simpson said. “We raced him maybe a little conservatively last week, but he had a good closing quarter. I wasn’t planning to be bumped up to the Preferred quite this early or drawing outside, but we’ll get along.”

The competitive race also features such stalwarts as Lincolnjames, millionaire Dapper Dude and Phoenix Warrior N, who captured the Preferred Handicap twice early in the year but has been off since Jan. 16.

Given all that talent, Simpson doesn’t expect driver Jeremy Indof to cut Hypothetical loose early.

“We’ll probably keep the same tactics — there are a lot of seasoned campaigners in there with speed,” Simpson said. “When he gets around this track a few more times, we’ll be ready to race him out of the gate.”

Also on Saturday, Mychoice members can compete in the Road to the Triple Crown Thoroughbred Handicapping Contest. More information is available at the retail counter in the track’s Racebook.

The field for Saturday’s feature, in post position order:
1. Stride Of Pride Palone/Burke
2. Rock The Nite Yoder/Parker
3. A Real Miracle Wrenn, Jr./Bendis
4. Lord Of Winterfell Brown/Parker
5. Lincolnjames Wilder/Burke
6. Dapper Dude Merriman/Bercury
7. Hypothetical Indof/Simpson
8. Phoenix Warrior N Rawlings/Betts

To view the full card, please click here.