Leonardo Da Lindy, who didn’t see the front end in any of his baby races, vaulted to the lead in his career pari-mutuel debut and went on to score in 2:02
. It was the fastest division in Monday’s $60,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters at The Meadows.
The stake was conducted over three divisions, with Ax Man and Keystone Wild Card taking the other splits.
Trainer/driver Frank Antonacci said he deliberately took it easy with Leonardo Da Lindy in three baby races at the Meadowlands, allowing the youngster to get a taste of racing before sending him first over in his final prep.
“I’ve kind of been babying him,” Antonacci said. “Last time he showed that he can handle first up. He kept the bit in his mouth and gained some confidence. Today, it looked like I had to roll him a little bit to get a piece, and it worked out. The Stallion Series is a great place for him now. He’s great gaited and has a great head, but he has to get a little stronger. I could see him progressing to the big boys.”
In the stake, Antonacci gave Leonardo Da Lindy a soft half in 1:02.3, and the son of Cantab Hall-More Candy had little trouble getting home. Georgian Diablo was second, a length back, with Big And Little third. KR Breeding and Robert Rudolph own the homebred Leonardo Da Lindy.
Ax Man also won on the front end following a strong place finish in his career debut at Hazel Park, defeating Somolli Crown by 2-3/4 lengths. Grateful John finished third.
“I like his attitude,” said trainer/driver Peter Wrenn. “That’s always a plus. It makes our job easier. He was strongest today in the last eighth. He has a long way to go, but he’s better than most.”
Melanie Wrenn and Eugene Oldford own Ax Man, a gelded son of Tom Ridge-Shavings who brought $25,000 as a yearling.
Keystone Wild Card prepped for the Stallion Series with two PA Fairs starts, lessons that may have provided a key edge.
“That fairs experience sure helps,” said trainer/driver Todd Schadel. “They get a little more mature. He may be an average colt this year, but he’ll be a better colt next year. He has a lot of filling out to do, but he looks like he has some go to him.”
The son of SJs Caviar-Womanly Image followed horses comfortably before brushing late to break his maiden in 2:03.2. He was 1-1/2 lengths better than Bloomington, with Otto fourth-placed-third. Schadel owns Keystone Wild Card with Max Hempt, Bradly Graffius and John Frisch.
In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Trot, Hawaiianphotograph said “Aloha” at 40-1 with a front-end victory from post 9. Im Justa Lady shot the Lightning Lane for place, a head short, with the first-over BVs Sister third. Brian Zendt drove and Bill Zendt trains Hawaiianphotograph, a five-year-old daughter of SJs Photo-Hawaiian Rose who extended her career bankroll to $379,359 for Shanamphilaniklou Inc of Pittsburgh, PA.
(The Meadows)