The Meadows: Commander Frank, Herodotus tally in Currier & Ives

Herodotus kicked past world champion Rumble Strips in the Lightning Lane to capture a division of Saturday's Currier & Ives at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Commander Frank took the other split of the $95,790 stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Herodotus released Rumble Strips at the quarter and stalked from the pocket. It was a great trip, but between Herodotus and victory was the fastest 2-year-old trotter ever on a half-mile track. How confident was winning driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. that he could kick past the champ?

"I wasn't sure because I raced against Rumble Strips in Ohio, and he's a really nice trotter," Wrenn Jr. said. "So when I released him to the front, I was hopeful that I had enough trot to beat him late. I kind of looked forward to driving my horse from the two-hole because he races better tracking one."

Herodotus scored in 1:55, a length better than the rallying Express Man, while Rumble Strips, competing outside Ohio for the first time in his 14-race career, slipped to third. Ron Burke trains Herodotus, a Hambletonian-eligible gelded son of Bar Hopping-Regal Woman who now has banked $152,577, for Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

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Expectations for the other division changed when the wings of the gate folded and John Dutton, the 2-5 favorite ducked and got away fifth. That helped Commander Frank quarter-pole to the point for Mike Wilder and get home with little pressure. He scored in a career-best 1:53 4/5, 1 1/2 lengths better than early leader Tailgate Buzz. Fire N Lightning completed the ticket. John Dutton struggled first-up and finished fourth.

"He's an awfully nice horse," said Norm Parker, who trains the homebred son of Southwind Frank-Lady Athens for Tom Brice, Bart Brice, Charles Receski and Ed Receski. "The last two weeks he got really bad trips and raced great. So I figured once he reached the front so easy, it should be our race. He's eligible to the Breeders Crown but not the Hambo, so we'll pick and choose."

In Saturday's $21,200 Open Handicap Pace, Wild Wild Western turned back late challenges inside and outside to triumph in 1:50 2/5 for Wilder, Parker and owners Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters. The 7-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra vaulted over $600,000 in lifetime earnings.

Also, for the third time this week, a freshman facing the starter for the first time won for owner/trainer Mitchell York. Saturday's winner was colt pacer Aintbluenomore (Heston Blue Chip-Jenna's Delight), who joined his stablemates, the filly pacer Darey Queen and the colt pacer Rose Run Zeke, as winners at first asking.

Wilder collected four wins on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the track, prompted by a $3,083.84 carryover, will offer a $10,000 guarantee for the early Pick 4 (race one). First post is 12:45 P.M.

--press release (Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)--