Fire overcomes slop to win at The Meadows

Dancing With Fire endured a tough first-over move in the slop and went on to win a division of the Opening Bell, a series for 3- and 4-year-old pacing colts and geldings, on Tuesday at The Meadows. Other $12,000 division winners in the series' first leg were Chang Dynasty and L Dees Sushi Dream.

Dancing With Fire got away third, and when Mike Wilder sent him after the lead before the half, he met resistance from Special Character. The 4-year-old son of The Panderosa-Firelight Dancer persevered on a track unkind to closers, coming home in :28.3 and scoring in 1:55. Special Character was a length back in second, with Jebswesternshake finishing third. Norm Parker trains Dancing With Fire for Bob Key.

In the $25,000 Preferred Handicap Trot, Four Starz Speed shook off the rust from a layoff of nearly five months and cruised to a front-end victory in 1:56.2, 2 3/4 lengths better than Eagle Dream. Michaelrowyourboat was third.

Dave Palone piloted Four Starz Speed, a 4-year-old gelded son of Conway Hall-Lotstoliveupto, for Sylvia Burke, Howard Taylor, JJK Stables and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. It was one of four Palone wins and three for Burke on the 14-race card. (The Meadows)

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