Trainer/driver Todd Schadel, a regular at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, entered five horses in the $15,000 first preliminary round of the Bobby Weiss Series for developing younger females on Tuesday night, and he overcame the outside post eight twice to post identical times of 1:56.4 in taking the two quickest divisions.
First up was the sophomore South Side Hanover, who is also owned by Schadel in partnership with Roger Hammer – the team that brought you Vivid Photo. Certainly gifted with the pedigree for speed (Cantab Hall out of 2000 O’Brien Award-winning Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year, Sharise Seelster), South Side Hanover had the fastest 2016 race win time of all of tonight’s starters, a 1:57.1 win here last week, but the crowd still let her escape at 7-1, and she never looked back in coming home in 57.4 and lowering her new race mark.
Next up was the SJs Caviar filly Real Caviar, who lowered her mark, taken in a recent qualifier, by a full second. Out of a half-sister to champion Housethatruthbuilt, Real Caviar came home in :57.2 and held off a serious late backstretch challenge by Grand Canyon in winning for owners Schadel and breeder Dr. John Egloff.
Finally breaking up the run of Team Schadel was the Credit Winner four-year-old mare Stirling Debutant, who lived up to her name in her 2016 bow with a 1:57 win, also overcoming post eight. Anthony Napolitano handled sulky duties for the winner, who made the lead past the quarter and led at the rest of the calls, for trainer Christie Collins and owners J M F Racing LLC.
Team Allard – driver Simon and trainer Rene -- posted overnight triumphs with a pair of classy mares. The Pegasus Spur mare Daylon Miracle passed $600,000 in career winnings when she won a $12,500 trot in 1:53 for the partnership of Allard Racing, Giselle Hebert, Earl Hall Jr., and the ubiquitous Howard Taylor, while Fancy Desire, who won the 2014 Lynch Championship right here at The Downs, pushed her lifetime bankroll over $470,000 as the Real Desire mare took an $11,000 pace for Allard Racing, Yves Sarrazin, and Kapildeo Singh.
The night started off with a mutuel buzz as Rockinthepipes trotted from seventh at the stretch call to win in 1:57.3 and return $71.60 to win. The victory gave Marcus Miller half of the four $50+ winners at The Downs so far this year, and it was the second bomber in five days for trainer Clifton Green, who won with longshot Dark Pool opening day at Harrah’s.
(PHHA/Pocono)