Dougs Fame wins after 11-week layoff

Dismissed at 10-1 and returning from an 11-week layoff, Dougs Fame scored in a sizzling 1:51.1--fastest mile this year at The Meadows--in Tuesday’s $25,000 Preferred Handicap Pace.

 

Sitting second down the backside, Dougs Fame and Dave Palone confidently brushed past the leader, Hennessy Hanover, and opened up four lengths, just enough to hold off the desperate late charge of Mystery Chase by a nose. Western Bay finished third.

 

Ron Burke trains Dougs Fame, a 5-year-old son of Apaches Fame-Armbro Vertical who extended his career bankroll to $314,976, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables and W.W. Haas Jr.

 

The card also featured two $15,000 opening leg divisions of the Wheel of Fortune, an early-closing series for 3- and 4-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

 

Foolish Attempt captured his split with a sweeping three-wide move for Brett Miller that carried him to victory in 1:55, a career best. Up Front Mustang, who was parked the entire mile, raced gamely to be second by 3 1/4 lengths, with early leader Big Native third. Jim Rothfuss trains and owns Foolish Attempt, a 4-year-old I Am A Fool-Keystone Musical gelding.

 

Expensive Toy took his Wheel of Fortune division with a similar move, shedding backside cover early and nailing the pacesetting Double Dribble at the wire in 1:55.1, a lifetime mark. I Like It Hot was a ground-saving third. Clay Faurot Jr. drove, trains and owns Expensive Toy, a 3-year-old gelded son of Camotion-Costly Toy.

 

In a $30,000 claiming race, Southwind Go Go Go and State Of The Union crossed the wire together in 1:51.4, fastest dead heat ever at The Meadows. The pair broke the 2003 record of 1:52.3 established by Brad’s Gold and Western Millenium. Tony Hall piloted Southwind Go Go Go for trainer Kris Rickert and owner Dale Wareham while Palone handled State Of The Union for trainer Tammy Cummings and Double Up Stable.

 

Palone drove six winners and Miller three on the 13-race program. (The Meadows)