A nine-race maiden entering Friday’s Donna Dunn Memorial Pace at The Meadows, Spiritina blew up the toteboard with a shocking victory at 94-1 in the slop. There was no Show wagering in the race, but a $2 Win/Place ticket returned $422.20.
Stirling Bella took the other $15,000 third leg division in the series for three and four-year-old filly and mare pacers. The Donna Dunn championship, along with the final legs of three other current series at The Meadows, is set for Friday, March 28. First post that day is 6:55 p.m.
Using Lasix for the first time, Spiritina got away fifth for Brett Miller and saved ground until the Lightning Lane beckoned. She out-kicked Fashion Katie to down her by a head and score in 1:57.4. Sandy Hook Hanover was third. The 1-5 favourite, Small Town Charmer, ducked, followed dead cover and never was a factor. Norm Parker trains Spiritina, a three-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native-Art Tina, for owner/breeder Bob Key.
Stirling Bella had to duel for the early lead, but was much the best once she got there, capturing her second Donna Dunn division in 1:58.1. The pocket-sitting Sure You Are was second, two and three-quarter lengths back, with Marissa third. Aaron Merriman drove the four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Fast Princess for trainer Dave Zito and owner Mervin Wengerd.
Friday’s card also featured a pair of fast-class events won by Unefoisdansmavie and Brooklyn Flight. A 10-time winner last year, Unefoisdansmavie collected her initial 2013 victory in an $18,000 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace by brushing through the Lightning Lane for Dave Palone, trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Jack Piatt III. The seven-year-old daughter of Revenue S-Peace To The World, who extended her career bankroll to $387,499, scored in 1:57.1, one and three-quarter lengths better than Victory Is Coming. Vixy completed the ticket.
In the $20,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace, Brooklyn Flight moved powerfully first over to triumph for Miller in 1:55. The pocket-sitting Pop Cop was second, one and a quarter lengths in arrears, while Southern Allie rallied for show. Frank Consiglio conditions Brooklyn Flight, a six-year-old Panspacificflight-Brooklyn Belle gelding who now boasts $174,424 in lifetime earnings, for Team 19 Stables.
Burke enjoyed a five-bagger, including four victories with Palone at the helm, while Miller drove three winners on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)