by Evan Pattak for The Meadows

Washington, PA — The Meadows and The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) staged their annual “Pink Out” Saturday (Oct. 22) to aid cancer awareness and treatment with events that included a pair of $22,000 benefit races. War Chief captured the “Pink Out for Cancer Trot” while Dapper Dude took the companion pace.

Chris Gooden photo

War Chief in the winner’s circle after his triumph in the Pink Out for Cancer Trot.

War Chief was jumping to the elite class after a series of mixed-bag wins at fairgrounds and in raceway conditioned events. Tougher company proved no problem for the 5-year-old Royal Palm-Screamen Indian gelding, who unleashed his characteristic rally for owner/trainer/driver Ammon Hershberger to down Chef Lee by a head in 1:55.3 on a “good” surface. The first-over See The Wind finished third.

Dapper Dude zipped to the front from post two for Aaron Merriman and easily parried several challenges, scoring in 1:52.2. The pocket-sitting Unlocked was three-quarter lengths back in second, with Atta Boy Dan a closing third. Bill Bercury conditions Dapper Dude, a 7-year-old son of The Panderosa-Dress To Suggest who boosted his career bankroll to $994,110, for Renee Bercury.

Tony Hall piloted five winners on the 14-race card, including the 5,000th of his career, while Jim Pantaleano fashioned a triple.