After going nowhere fast through the first quarter, Skeezix blazed through the stretch as if it were Gasoline Alley to capture a division of Monday’s Keystone Classic at The Meadows. Tight Lines took the other split in the event for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters.
Skeezix was looped from the gate by Taco Tuesday and spent most of the first panel pecking for a spot at the pylons, which he finally found.
“We were spinning our wheels a little bit at the beginning,” winning driver Mike Simons said, “but once he got set, he was perfect. He likes his job; he’s a racehorse.”
The SJs Caviar-Queen Of Angels gelding moved powerfully first over and nailed the game Taco Tuesday by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3, a tick off his lifetime best. Favourite Iron Mine Bucky got up late for show.
Roland Mallar trains Skeezix, who extended his career bankroll to $124,530, for Michael Andrew.
Tight Lines followed the first-over Cufflink Hanover — the 2-5 favourite — for trainer/driver Jeff Gregory and overtook him late to defeat him by three-quarters of a length in a career-fastest 1:54.1. Stonebridge Combat earned show.
“I thought maybe we were racing for second money when (Cufflink Hanover) cleared,” Gregory said. “I didn’t think there was any shot my horse could run him down. But he just kept trying — that’s his best attribute. He tries his heart out.”
Jeff Gregory Inc, Jesmeral Stable and William Richardson campaign Tight Lines, who vaulted over $100,000 in lifetime earnings.
In Monday’s companion feature, Gregory’s fine filly, Spicedbourbongirl, took her division and won the opportunity for an even more lucrative score.
“She got a really good jump out of the gate,” Gregory said. “I didn’t have to cut the mile, but it just worked out that way. I had planned on taking her home because she had tailed off a little bit, but I might take her to Lexington and race her in the Kentucky Filly Futurity. She’s a big, strong filly; I don’t think two heats would hurt her.”
Indeed, it was a matter of only moments before Gregory confirmed the decision to try the daughter of Cantab Hall-All In The Muscles in the Futurity, set for Sunday at the Red Mile.
Spicedbourbongirl, who now has won $131,969 for Jeff Gregory, Inc. and Jesmeral Stable, made a relatively easy lead from post 8 and had little trouble holding off the outside challengers in 1:55.1. The pocket-sitting My Pink Bike was second, two lengths back, while Casey T rallied for show.
Goodtogo Hanover notched her 10th win of the year in the other split, converting a quarter-pole move to victory for Brian Zendt and trainer Bill Zendt, who owns with Gary Saul. Long shot Ameliosi rallied for second, with Twill Be Done third.
“Halfway through the lane I thought she let that other horse (Ameliosi) get a little closer to her than she should have,” Brian Zendt said. “I had to wake her up, but she was still strong. It’s been a long year. I’m not saying she wasn’t good today, but she’s probably not quite as sharp as she was a couple months ago.”
The daughter of Explosive Matter-Grammy Hall now boasts $160,177 in career earnings.
In the $20,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot, Mistress Valentine drew off down the backside and triumphed in 1:53.3, a lifetime mark, four lengths better than Princess Pablano, giving trainer Tyler Stillings an exacta sweep. RV Janet was third.
David Miller drove the seven-year-old daughter of Master Glide-Patsys Valentine, who pushed her career bankroll to $357,828, for Rags To Riches Of PA.
Tuesday’s card at The Meadows features two Keystone Classics — a $69,400 stake for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers and a $71,600 event for sophomore filly pacers. First post is 1 p.m.
(The Meadows)