Washington, PA — Windsong Leo withstood pressure for most of the back half and collected his fifth straight win in Friday’s (Jan. 14) $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Windsong Leo (No. 6) collected his fifth straight win in Friday’s $16,000 Open Handicap Pace. Chris Gooden photo.

Windsong Leo was forced to a contested :26.3 opening panel. But when Dave Palone was able to give him a :29.4 second-quarter breather, that helped him turn back the first-over challenge of Torrin Hanover and the Lightning Lane charge of Carolina Beach. Windsong Leo prevailed in 1:52.2 over a “good” surface, a head better than Caroina Beach, while Captainfabulous rallied for show.

Ron Burke trains the winner, a 10-year-old Jereme’s Jet-Windsong Goldie gelding who soared over $800,000 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Collura.

Palone piloted four winners, including a pair for Burke, on the 10-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a pair of carryovers: $5,607.41 in the Jackpot Pick-5 (race four), $1,623.36 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m.