Expensive Toy takes Meadows series final

Expensive Toy found the Lightning Lane just in time, charging through to erase a two-length deficit and capture Tuesday’s $25,600 final of the Wheel of Fortune series for 3- and 4-year-old colt and gelding pacers at The Meadows.

 

Expensive Toy was racing in third when Up Front Mustang launched a first-over bid and overtook the leader, Picture Me. But when Up Front Mustang could not draw off, Dave Palone guided Expensive Toy to the Lightning Lane, where he prevailed in a career-best 1:54.4. The game Up Front Mustang was a neck back in second while Picture Me saved show.

 

Clay Faurot, Jr., who owns, trains and usually drives Expensive Toy, said his decision to put Palone up paid off in that Lightning Lane burst to victory.

 

“I wanted the best for the money, and that’s what I got,” Faurot said. “I wasn’t worried a bit late. Palone has won 13,000 races. He’s a helluva driver.”

 

Faurot said the 3-year-old Camotion-Costly Toy gelding is ticketed for overnight events at The Meadows.

 

“He was a late bloomer and didn’t look like he would do much,” Faurot said. “He just started kicking in the last three or four months. He’s a diamond in the rough. We’ll see what we can teach him to do.”

 

Faurot completed an outstanding day when he drove R Happy Horse, a 4-year-old Cammibest-Sammie Big Girl gelding he trains and owns, to a conditioned-race victory at a juicy 49-1.

 

Palone drove four winners and Brett Miller three on the 13-race card while Ron Burke enjoyed a training triple. (The Meadows)