Favorite Kate’s Massive cruises in Currier & Ives at The Meadows

Kate’s Massive powered to the lead past the quarter and made the rest of it look easy, scoring a convincing victory in Friday’s (May 24) $99,430 Currier & Ives for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadows.

Kate’s Massive powered to the lead past the quarter and made the rest of it look easy. Chris Gooden photo.

Last year’s Pennsylvania Stallion Series champion, Kate’s Massive opened his sophomore campaign with a stallion series victory, so the Currier & Ives represented a step up for him. Nevertheless, Dave Palone steered the son of Muscle Massive-Sister Kate aggressively, protecting the rail starting position and getting away second.

Once Kate’s Massive reached the point, he had little trouble holding off the first-over challenge of Shake N Bake. The 6-5 favorite needed only a single tap from Palone’s whip in the stretch to defeat Shake N Bake by two lengths in 1:54.1, lowering his life mark 1-2/5 seconds. Long shot Stinglike A B K finished third.

Kelly Paver trains the winner, who lifted his career bankroll to $136,267, for owner and co-breeder Harry Horowitz.

It was one of five victories on the 12-race card for Palone, who triumphed for the 18th time (including Open Division wins in final heats and preliminary splits) in the illustrious history of the Currier & Ives, which was launched at The Meadows in 1975. The “winningest” driver in harness racing history, Palone collected his first Currier & Ives victory with Dontellmenomore in 1991.

Also enjoying big nights were Jim Pantaleano and trainer Scott Betts, with four and three wins, respectively.