B Winner K, Tommaso take Meadows splits

B Winner K opened a daylight lead, then survived a late break and an inquiry as he captured a division of the Michaelrowyourboat Trot at The Meadows. Tommaso took Monday’s other $15,000, second-leg split in the series for 3-year-old colts and geldings.
 
B Winner K had shown talent as well as gaiting problems since shedding the hopples he wore at 2. He appeared to be home free in Monday’s leg when he motored to the lead for Eric Ledford and drew off in the stretch. Yards from the finish line, however, he broke stride, prompting an inquiry that did not disturb the order of finish, which included Most Wanted Lindy 4-1/4 lengths back in second and TSM Photo Bugger third.

B Winner K scored in 1:57.4, equaling his career best. Jim Arledge, Jr. trains and Bob Key owns and bred the son of SJ’s Caviar-Brenda B Winnin.
 
Tommaso also endured gaiting problems, breaking stride before the start. Brian Zendt was able to gather the gelded son of Tom Ridge-Bellissimo, who looped the field on the outside when the leader, Mr Moonlight, tired in the lane.
 
Tommaso triumphed in 1:59.3, a career best, 1-3/4 lengths better than North Broadway. Mr Moonlight and Park Way dead-heated for show. Boots Dunn trains Tommaso for Dunn Stable.
 
Red Star Hottie, a 7-1 newcomer from Fraser Downs, took the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace with a powerful front-end effort for Dave Palone in 1:52.2, a lifetime mark. Spring Break was a head back in second — her fourth consecutive place finish — while Cams Van Go finished a ground-saving third. Ron Burke trains Red Star Hottie, a 5-year-old daughter of As Promised-Whitehorse Fever, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.(The Meadows)