Elista Hanover charged through the lane to win the fastest of three Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Friday, May 10. Green Fee and Upallnight Hanover captured the other divisions in the event for three-year-old filly trotters.
Elista Hanover entered the stakes, known as the Meadow Bright, as the “now” horse after her sweep of the Bobby Weiss Series at Pocono Downs. She lived up to the billing in her $66,482 division, powering first up for David Miller to wear down She Shaq and edge her by a head in 1:53.3. Tracks Of My Tears completed the ticket.
Annie Stoebe, who trains the $240,000 yearling acquisition and owns with R. Lynn Curry and Philomena Curry, likes to joke that the daughter of International-Moni-Evermore at times can be a “goofy” chestnut, but she was all business on Friday for Miller.
“She’s really been behaving well,” he said. “It’s always in the back of your mind that she might get a little silly, but so far, so good. She put in another great race today. She’s been awesome, really.”
Green Fee was a four-race maiden entering her $66,482 stakes division, and her recent lines were pocked with breaks. But she moved powerfully first over from fourth for Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and pulled off the 23-1 shocker in 1:56.2. Ihaveadream De Vie was a half length back in second, with Somthintobelievein third.
“She’s a very fast horse. Last week, we didn’t quite have her hung up right,” said trainer Kevin Johnson of his faith in Beentheredonethat Racing’s Greenshoe-Hollywood Hill filly. “I figured if Ronnie could keep her flat, she’d get the job done.”
Dave Palone wasn’t necessarily looking for a Lightning Lane trip for Upallnight Hanover, but when the opportunity arose, he seized it in the other $65,934 split.
“That’s never an option until it’s your last option,” said Palone. “Especially with the young ones, I like to go right. But when I headed her in there, she was a total professional.”
The daughter of Bar Hopping-Upfront Obs Janet edged the rallying Sambuca Hanover by a head, with early leader Little Town Road third. Upallnight Hanover recorded a lifetime mark of 1:54.4 and boosted her career bankroll to $119,376 for trainer Ake Svanstedt and owner Journey Horses Inc.
Three-year-old filly trotters PJs Dream, Ciao Time, Wish List and Dubai each took a $27,397 division of the Pennsylvania Stallion Series.
Dubai had only a pair of qualifiers since Nov. 20, but she had little trouble rolling first over from third to triumph in a career-best 1:54.2 for Palone, trainer Noel Daley and owner Fred Hertrich III. Happy Chopper was second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, while Standin Over earned show.
“I wanted to track the favourite and not move until I had to,” said Palone. “And when I put her in the fight going into the last turn, I felt like she would win the battle. She had a great attitude, her ears were working, I took the plugs out and the rest is history.”
PJs Dream won her split in 1:56.4 with Mike Wilder driving for trainer Richard Perfido. Aaron Merriman drove Ciao Time to a 1:56.3 score for trainer Dana Kahrig. Wish List was a 1:55.4 winner with David Miller in the bike for trainer Robert Baggitt Jr.
Friday's card included action from the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA). “Dirty” Dirk Simpson ranks third in this year’s trainer standings at The Meadows. The question before the house was, would he be as effective in his very first start in the GLADA's $13,699 leg at The Meadows?
The answer was a resounding yes as Simpson moved Unbeatable Kemp first over from fourth and the five-year-old Walner-Credit To Elgin gelding rolled to a four-length victory in 1:55.4. In fact, the only adversity Simpson faced was heckling from a couple wise guys, Brady Brown and Jeremy Indof, whom Simpson frequently uses as catch-drivers.
Holton (Stephen “You’re Never Too” Oldford), Golden Compass (Larry Ferrari) and Get Some Cash (Tom “Mayhem” Svrcek) rounded out the ticket.
Simpson, who also trains Unbeatable Kemp, said he’s been working hard to get him past recent breaking issues.
“He’s just real grabby; he was even grabby today,” said Simpson. “He’s over-anxious — that’s the main trouble. We put a jaw cord on him today and we’ve been giving him more time on the back track and in the pasture.”
Unbeatable Kemp, claimed three starts ago by Dirk Simpson Stables Inc., has now earned $151,788 lifetime.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues on Saturday, with first post at 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)