Sixth at the half, Omnipotent proved all-powerful late in the mile as she captured the fastest division of Wednesday’s $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallions Series at The Meadows.
The event for three-year-old filly trotters, which kicked off the 2013 stakes season at The Meadows, was conducted over five divisions, with Mystical Touch, Gliding To Glory, Lindyofalifetime and McKenzies Star also taking $20,000 splits. Dick Stillings enjoyed a stake double behind Gliding To Glory and Lindyofalifetime.
Omnipotent hadn’t raced since Oct. 19, but she moved confidently with cover for Eric Ledford and triumphed in a career-best 1:57.4, a length better than Won Ton Hanover. Early leader Downpour was third.
“I thought she would race well,” said Scott Andrews, who trains the daughter of Donato Hanover-All Knowing — a $30,000 yearling acquisition — for Edward Andrews. “She qualified well and had a good week. We’ll keep her in Pennsylvania for now then look at her schedule for later.”
Lindyofalifetime, who broke stride in her two previous starts this year, notched an impressive two-move victory even though she didn’t get the equipment change trainer Walter “Boots” Dunn contemplated.
“They wanted to put hopples on her, but they didn’t have a chance because they would have needed to qualify her,” Stillings said. “They did put some elbow boots on her. The last 100 yards she was wanting to swing into the pace real bad. Right past the wire, she did.”
Dismissed at 11-1, she moved first over and downed Cant Get Over You by a neck to score in 1:58 and chop 7.2 seconds from her lifetime mark. Chi Omega earned show. Dunn Stable owns the daughter of Cantab Hall-Enjoy Candy.
Mystical Touch, who hadn’t been on the lead in her last five races, powered to the front for Aaron Merriman, trainer Al Manke III and owner Acadia Farms and drew off to a three and a half length victory in 1:58.1, a career best. Pine Judie and Lizs Black Beauty completed the ticket. It was one of three victories on the 12-race program for Merriman.
“I raced her a little conservatively the last time I drove her because the track was sloppy and I was worried about her gait,” he said. “Today, she was absolutely flawless and in hand. She was kind of waiting on horses late.”
Stakes racing resumes Friday at The Meadows with the Stenographer, a $236,320 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for sophomore trotting fillies. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)