Five divisions of the Stenographer went postward at The Meadows on Tuesday afternoon, as the PASS season kicked off for the three-year-old trotting fillies
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Longshot players got their wish in the opening tilt when Caviar Russe erupted for a 34-1 stunner for trainer Bob Horowitz and driver Mike Simons. The daughter of SJs Caviar – Uchargetomuch used an off-the-pace approach to take home the lion’s share of the $49,543 purse. She defeated tempo setter Lady B Pearl and third-place finisher Phannys Photo.
Horowitz, of Basking Ridge, NJ, holds the papers on Caviar Russe who was unraced as a rookie. She now sports a 4-3-1 record in 12 career starts. She has banked $42,287 to date.
Driver Aaron Merriman and trainer Ron Gurfein joined forces to take the second division with Spiceberry Hanover, who turned a pocket-trip into an 11-1 upset in a time of 1:58.3. It was the third win of the season in just four attempts for the daughter of Cantab Hall – Slow Dance Hanover, who defeated Classy Broad and Nordic Nymph.
Jerry Silva of Long Beach, NY and Mathias Meinzinger of Central Islip, NY share ownership on the career winner of $80,444.
The favourite players had something to cheer about in the third division when Whispering Wind delivered on her 3/5 pari-mutuel promise for the tandem of driver Mike Simons and trainer Roland Mallar. The daughter of Broadway Hall – Wild Pine did most of the road work en route to the 1:57.2 score over Dover Miss and Caviar Forthe Lady.
It was the third win of the season for the filly, who is now a five-time winner in 12 career starts. She has put away more than $111,000 in her career.
Driver Dick Stillings and trainer Brian Roland teamed up to take the fourth division with Broadway Paige, who turned a two hole trip into a 1:57.2 victory. The daughter of Broadway Hall – Financial Paige used a :29.2 final frame to win by a half-length over Missys Doubtfire. Race favourite Timelesswinner Two settled for the show dough in the $49,543 affair.
Anthony and Carol Risi of Christiana, PA share ownership on the chestnut trotter with Bernard O’Brien of Lecanto, FL. It was the 2009 debut for the six-time winner, who has banked $201,286 to date.
Driver Dave Palone, who was in a spill earlier on the program took the final PASS event with All Star Hanover in 1:57.2. The Joe Holloway-trained daughter of Cantab Hall – Astraea Hanover rolled the field through panels of :29, :59.2 and 1:28 before kicking home in :29.2 for the 1:57.2 decision over Ellen Harvey and Caviars Promise.
Sent off as the 4/5 favourite, All Star Hanover drew off to win by more than five lengths for owners Bluestone Farms LLC of Hopewell, NJ and Frederica Caldwell of Georgetown, KY. It was the first start of the season for the talented trotter, who went 7-for-13 as a rookie. She now boasts more than $229,000 in career earnings