Jun 9, 2018 4 min read

At The Meadows

Foiled Again, the richest Standardbred ever with more than $7.5 million in lifetime earnings, fell a head short in his quest for career win 100 Saturday at The Meadows when he couldn’t get by a stubborn Bilbo Hanover and finished second.

In their Non-Winners of $3,500 Conditioned Race, Bilbo Hanover pulled the pocket midway down the backside for Aaron Merriman while Foiled Again and Dave Palone took up the chase from fourth. Bilbo Hanover didn’t blink in the face of Foiled Again’s strong challenge and scored in 1:52.1 for trainer Randy Bendis, who owns the 8-year-old Yankee Cruiser-Bet Again Hanover gelding with Reed Broadway and Tom Pollack.

Palone said he got the trip he wanted with Foiled Again, a three-time Pacer of The Year.

“I thought he would fight the other horse off,” Palone said. “Bilbo Hanover is no clown. He loves to race on the lead, and he’s tough to get by. But the old horse fought to the end. He went a good race. I can’t make any excuses for him.”

It was the eighth consecutive time Foiled Again has been foiled in his bid for No. 100. Ron Burke, who trains the gallant 14-year-old Dragon Again-In A Safe Place gelding for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, LLC and JJK Stables, indicated he was pleased with Foiled Again’s effort

“Every start he’s getting a little bit better,” Burke said. “We’re only a couple of starts from getting him to 1:51, which probably is the most he’ll pace any more. He probably fights allergies a little bit in the summer; as it gets cooler in the fall, he gets better. Anytime he tries his heart out like that, it’s no embarrassment.”

Foiled Again faces mandatory retirement at the end of 2018. Burke said he plans to continue racing him through the end of the year and hopes to close out his career on his last day of eligibility, Dec. 31, when The Meadows hosts a twilight card.

In Saturday’s feature, the $20,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, Stride Of Pride took advantage of fast fractions thrown down by Dapper Dude to clear him first over and prevail in 1:49.3. Lincolnjames was second by 1/2 length – giving Burke an exacta sweep – while Dapper Dude saved show.

Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. piloted the 5-year-old Manhardt-Apple B gelding, who lifted his career bankroll to $136,627, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and RTC Stables.

Mike Wilder and Merriman each collected three wins on the 15-race card.

Manziel shines in preseason finale

Johnny Manziel was 12 of 20 for 88 yards and a touchdown and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats scored 30 straight points to beat the Montreal Alouettes 30-15 Saturday in the second and final preseason game for both teams.

The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M, Manziel is making a comeback in the Canadian Football League after being released by the Cleveland Browns in March 2016.

Manziel replaced starter Bryant Moniz with Hamilton down 14-0 four minutes into the second quarter.

Manziel opened with consecutive completions to running back Alex Green for Hamilton’s first first down, and capped the drive with a 3-yard scoring pass to Green. Manziel led three drives for field goals in the second half.

Another injury

for Strasburg

Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg will go on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, manager Dave Martinez said after the Nationals’ 7-5 victory over San Francisco on Saturday.

Martinez said there was no timetable on Strasburg’s return. The right-hander left his start Friday against San Francisco after two innings and underwent an MRI Saturday morning.

The three-time All-Star is 6-6 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 starts this year. It is Strasburg’s sixth stint on the disabled list in the past four seasons.