Filly Speaks' alert move out of the pocket down the backside after a slow first half carried her to victory — and a series sweep — in Wednesday’s (April 21) $22,250 final of the Ruby Cook Memorial Pace for three-year-old fillies at The Meadows.
After Oceans Apart waltzed through the front half in :58.1 over a “good” surface, Tony Hall decided to vacate the two-hole earlier than usual.
“I was kind of concerned about the slow numbers,” Hall said. “I wanted to trip her out today because the track’s been sluggish and the front end’s been tiring.”
Filly Speaks went on to down Oceans Apart by three-quarters of a length in 1:55, collecting her fifth consecutive win overall. Peep N Weep completed the ticket.
Scott Betts trains the daughter of Artspeak and Fillys Victory for Tim Betts, Nick Catalano and Keith Pippi.
$21,250 Terry Altmeyer Memorial Trot — Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings
Jujubee and Whiskey Blu had marked themselves as the class of these sophomore trotters, with each winning a preliminary leg. They were so well matched on paper that it wouldn’t take much of a break to give one a big edge in Wednesday’s final.
Jujubee got that break when he drew post four, while Whiskey Blu was stuck with the eight-hole. The homebred son of Creatine and La Cantera took full advantage of his good fortune when he stalked Whiskey Blu from the pocket, then edged away for Hall in the lane to defeat his rival by a half length in 1:56. Donato Patriot K earned show.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do,” said Greg Wright Jr., who conditions Jujubee for Jon Erdner. “We’re hoping he’ll be a sire stakes horse. He has a lot of maturing to do, but he wants to be a good horse. His gait has a little bit of wasted motion, but he’s strong and smart.”
In addition to his sweep of the series finals, Hall piloted three other winners to give him five on the 13-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Thursday (April 22), when the 13-race program features the $22,500 final of the Margaret Provost Memorial Trot for three-year-old fillies as well as a $1,873.68 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)