MEADOW LANDS, PA, Dec. 2, 2008 Fresh thanks to a ground-saving trip, Hoopie drove the lane to score a 23-1 victory in the $25,000 Preferred Handicap trot Tuesday at The Meadows.
It was Hoopies first start in the Preferred trot after months of conditioned races; perhaps mindful of that, Dan Charlino kept the 4-year-old gelded son of San Pellegrino-Crystal VW snug against the pylons until the final turn. When Charlino angled Hoopie off the pylons to follow the brushing Primo Spur, Hoopie surged and downed Primo Spur by a nose. Oatmeister was a rallying third.
Hoopies winning time of 1:55 was a tick off his lifetime mark. Joelene Christman trains and Mark Christman owns Hoopie, who pushed his career bankroll to $228,335.