The Meadows: Pretty Ricki takes Wilbur Zendt Memorial final

His late kick fell short in the series' preliminary legs, but Pretty Ricki found a new gear Friday at The Meadows to overpower the leaders and capture the $18,750 championship of the Wilbur Zendt Memorial Pace for 3- and 4-year-old males.

Pretty Ricki was second-over at the three-quarters, trailing the leader, Heart On My Sleeve, by four lengths. But when Drew Monti sent him three-wide through the final turn, the 3-year-old Always B Miki-Benearthebeach gelding gobbled up ground, easily clearing Heart On My Sleeve and downing him by 3 1/4 widening lengths in a career-best 1:54, final panel 27 4/5. Remember The Beach completed the ticket.

"He wins easy last week if he doesn't make a break - I'm almost sure he jumped a shadow," Monti said. "I went in today with the same mindset, to keep him on a helmet. I thought he had it in him to win if he did everything right, so I'm not surprised he put in that kind of effort."

Steve Walters trains Pretty Ricki for Lone Wolf Stable and Nick Catalano.

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