WASHINGTON, PA — Icanflylikeanangel enjoyed a second-quarter breather . . .  and needed every bit of it as he had to dig in late to preserve his victory in Friday’s $16,000 harness racing Open Handicap Trot at The Meadows.

After reaching the point in a hotly contested 27.2 opening panel in the slop, Icanflylikeanangel got to relax through a 29.4 second quarter. But he was threatened by the first-over Rising MVP and Mind Yown Business, who joined the fray late. The 7-year-old Archangel-Fox Valley London gelding responded to the urging of Mike Wilder and held off Mind Yown Business by a neck in 1:54.4, with Rising MVP third.

Randy Bendis trains the winner, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $478,163, and owns with Pollack Racing LLC.

Hunter Myers piloted three winners on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Saturday when frosh champ Anoka Hanover seeks her ninth straight victory in a $143,142 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for sophomore filly trotters. The 13-race program also features a $4,483.08 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 PM.