Executive Game and his stablemate, Greenspan, each won a split, giving Dave Palone, trainer Jim Campbell and owner Runthetable Stables a sweep of Saturday’s $155,160 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for freshman colt and gelding trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Including the PASS sweep, Palone piloted seven winners on the 13-race card, the second time in eight days he’s recorded a seven-bagger.
Executive Game had won his last three starts — each a PA Stallion Series division — to clinch a spot in the $40,000 championship, so there was nothing to lose by stepping up to the PASS. As the gate folded, though, it seemed there would be little to gain, as the Bar Hopping-Broadway Jo Ell gelding got away sixth.
However, he was out uncovered at the three-eighths and steadily advanced on the leader, Highly Motivated, edging him by a nose in 1:56 to match his career best. Bird And Grenade was a close-up third in the Lightning Lane.
“I wanted to race him off a helmet, but he was a little flat footed going out of there,” said Palone. “Rather than force the issue, we just took our lumps early. When the brakes came on, I just kind of set him out. I thought he might win a fight through the stretch, but I didn’t expect it to be that close.”
Greenspan considered an early seat, but when Ordained broke on the lead, Greenspan motored right on to the point. From there, the Greenshoe-Firm To Stay gelding faced no serious challenges, drawing off to triumph by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:56.2. Reformation and Greenback Session completed the ticket.
“It was kind of a tactical thing,” said Palone. “It presented itself that I could control the race. I thought if I turned it into a sprint, they’d have trouble getting around this big guy. He was a little immature when Jim brought him over here the first time, but he’s beaten a couple horses and matured. He was way, way handier today.”
It was Greenspan’s second PASS victory, securing his berth in the $260,000 (est.) final.
$60,000 PA Stallion Series — Two-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trotters
Two Times The Moni, Smarter Than You and My Bar Tab each captured a division, with Chris Page enjoying a stake double behind Two Times The Moni and Smarter Than You.
On Aug, 4 at The Meadows, Two Times The Moni took himself out of a Stallion Series split at The Meadows — and may well have cost himself a ticket to the championship — when he brushed the starting gate and broke stride. Although his driver that day, Anthony MacDonald, blamed himself for the miscue, Saturday’s performance by the son of International Moni-Credittomyfamily showed how much he’s learned.
Rather than rushing or shying from the gate, he timed it perfectly with Page, found a good early seat and closed strongly in the lane to score in 1:57, a lifetime mark. Put Option Hanover was second, beaten a half length, while 3-5 favourite Usain Hanover settled for show.
“He wasn’t bad at the gate today; he was a little aggressive in the post parade. Two men and a strong baby couldn’t have held him,” said Page. “But in the race, he was a complete professional.”
Tim Twaddle trains Two Times The Moni and owns with Micki Rae Stables LLC.
Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a $1,460.53 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race four). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)