Heza Challenger is a winner at The Meadows

Forced three wide early and chasing an untested leader, Heza Challenger kicked it into high gear in the lane Wednesday at The Meadows to capture the $27,500 Preferred Trot.

 

While even-money favorite Master Begonia worked out a comfortable first half in :59.3 over a “good” surface, Heza Challenger and Brett Miller languished 6 1/2 lengths back before picking up live three-wide cover from Voila American. Heza Challenger charged through the stretch to nail Master Begonia by a half-length in 1:57.2, with Voila American a game third.

 

Bruce Riegle trains Heza Challenger, a 5-year-old Chip Chip Hooray-Ten Queens gelding who won the Preferred for the third time in his last four starts, for Robert Kauffman.

 

Mike Wilder drove four winners on the 14-race card, leaving him seven victories shy of 5,000 for his career, while Dick Stillings and Brett Miller enjoyed driving triples. (The Meadows)