LAUREL, MD – Right Time Racing III and Madaket Stables’ Meadow Dance remained unbeaten this year since returning to sprints, posting a front-running one-length triumph in Saturday’s inaugural $100,000 Warrior’s Reward Weather Vane at Laurel Park.
Second betting choice at 9/5 in a field of nine, Meadow Dance ($5.80) completed 6 furlongs in 1:09.37 over a fast main track to hold of 8/5 favorite Needs Supervision, a stakes winner over the winter at Fair Grounds making her first start since mid-February.
It was the first career stakes victory for Meadow Dance, who coasted to the lead and was tracked for a 1/4-mile in 22.49 seconds by Bunting before Jennemily picked up the chase after a 1/2 in 45.75. Needs Supervision was kept outside in the clear on the turn and was poised to make her run once straightened for home, but was unable to reel in Meadow Dance as she separated from her rivals through the lane.
“It’s always nice when your horse breaks on top,” Russell said. “The filly broke and put me in a great spot. I felt like she was going easy enough in upper stretch and I was very happy to hold on.”
Meadow Dance, a 3-year-old Jimmy Creed filly, opened her season winning a 6 1/2-furlong allowance June 22 at Churchill Downs before a similar gate-to-wire score in a 6-furlong optional claimer Aug. 3 at Ellis Park, both over her elders. She ran third in a pair of stakes at 2, including the Alcibiades (G1) last fall.
