War Boots is good enough to set Meadows mark

On a hot, steamy Monday made for records, War Boots took full advantage of the conditions by sizzling to victory in 1:49.4, fastest ever for a 4-year-old gelding pacer at The Meadows. Maltese Artist set the previous mark, 1:50.3, in 2005.

The time was just a tick slower than the all-age Meadows record held jointly by Riyadh (1996), Timesareachanging (2004), Georgia Pacific (2004) and Santastic’s Pan (2004).

While War Boots had performed capably at the Preferred Handicap level, a lack of recent wins made him eligible for a conditioned pace. Cognizant of the softer going, trainer-driver Ray Paver sent the son of Memphis Flash to the lead at the quarter pole.

Following a first half in :55.1, War Boots kept right on marching, clicking off the last two panels in :27 and :27.3. His fastest previous effort was 1:52.2. Jacked Up finished 6 1/4 lengths back in second, one length better than Vesuvio Grande.

Shirley Mitchell owns War Boots. (The Meadows)

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