Trailing by a little more than six lengths at the half, In Deep Thought launched a powerful, uncovered move that carried her to victory in a stakes-record 1:52 in Tuesday’s $210,109 Pennsylvania Sires Stake at The Meadows
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The event for three-year-old filly pacers, known as the Adios Betty, was contested over three divisions, with Mikayla Rose and Pupetta taking the other splits.
Dave Palone drove nine winners on the 16-race card. That isn’t the most in his Hall of Fame career, as he scored 11 victories at The Meadows on April 21, 2008 and twice has collected 10 wins on a single card. What was unusual about Tuesday’s haul is that the nine wins came for as many trainers - Ron Burke, Aaron Johnston, Virgil Morgan, Jr., Randy Neal, Mike Palone, Kevin Richard, Bruce Riegle, Mike Strejcek and Tim Twaddle.
In Deep Thought prepped for the Adios Betty with two unspectacular performances at Harrah’s Chester. Trainer Bob Reeser, who owns the daughter of Ponder-Adoration with Post Time Partners 2009, said that was part of the plan to sharpen her.
“She did some good last year, so she had to move up and race against some four and five-year-old mares,” Reeser said of his $20,000 yearling acquisition who now has banked $204,106. “We were being cautious with her and raced her off the back. I was hoping when she met the three-year-olds, she would have her big brush. She had it today.”
In Deep Thought’s first-over explosion gobbled up the leader, Chartreuse Hanover, who saved second, 1-1/2 lengths back, with Real Joy third. The time knocked a tick from the mark established by Thong in 2008. Reeser said In Deep Thought is eligible to a number of “middle-to-upper-level stakes.”
Mikayla Rose, who usually is fired up before and after she races, gave her connections a scare when she appeared positively calm awaiting the start.
“Lackadaisical is how I would describe her, but she was fine during the race,” said winning driver Tony Hall. “This was a big jump up for her, and I was anxious to see how she’d do. She’s done everything so easy, and she proved herself today.”
Though passed while on the lead before the three-quarters, the daughter of Ponder-Northern Rose rallied again in the stretch to score in a lifetime-best 1:53.2, nosing out Hasty Pulse charging through the Lightning Lane. Cold Mist finished third.
Justin Lebo trains Mikayla Rose, who now boasts four consecutive victories, for John Glassford and Gary Smith.
Pupetta hadn’t raced since Oct. 13, but she enjoyed the pocket trip Palone gave her, brushing late on the outside to triumph in 1:52.1, a lifetime mark. Bombilla Hanover and Real Amor were promoted to second and third, respectively, when Speed And Grace was disqualified from place for violating the breaking rules.
“I wasn’t worried about the layoff because she qualified way better than the lines looked,” Palone said. “I really didn’t want to be on the point; I wanted to chase. I thought she would work out exactly the trip she got.”
Burke trains the daughter of Blissfull Hall-Susan Lobell for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Richard Suda.
(The Meadows)