Danish Durango exploded to the lead and rolled home in 1:54.1, establishing a stakes record in Thursday’s $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event at the Meadows.
The stake for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters was conducted over five divisions, with Hurrikane Johnny K, Dont Mind Me, Woodmark and Simeon taking the other splits. Tony Hall enjoyed a stake double (Hurrikane Jonny K, Dont Mind Me) among his three victories on the 14-race card.
Danish Durango had only a maiden win in seven previous lifetime outings before Thursday’s stake but had been facing tough company. He overwhelmed the field in his division, defeating Only The Brave by 7-1/4 lengths. Keystone Bodacious was third. Danish Durango eclipsed the stake mark of 1:54.3 set by Wing Tips in 2012.
“That’s a good horse right there,” said winning driver Dave Palone. “When I got a nice sleeper second quarter, I expected him to be full of himself. But that mile today was pretty impressive, since the other divisions were hung up on 1:56 and a piece. He was by far the best colt on the card today.”
Ake Svanstedt trains Danish Durango, a son of Andover Hall-Danish Diamond, for Little E LLC, Jula Racing and Ted Gewertz.
Hurrikane Jonny K followed cover beautifully and scored in 1:56.1 for trainer Jonas Czernyson and owner SRF Stable. Colbert was second, with Wildintention AS third.
Hurrikane Johnny K reached the championship of the PA Sires Stakes last year, finishing a respectable fourth, but Czernyson said he’s still getting to know the son of Andover Hall-Lavieenrose De Vie.
“I haven’t had him that long — my owner just picked him up in February,” Czernyson said. “We couldn’t get him all figured out, so I started him a little lower. It definitely paid off today. We’re hoping we can step it up to the next level. He did everything right today.”
After leading early, Dont Mind Me was shuffled to fifth before the Lightning Lane beckoned. The son of Andover Hall-Peace Of Mind poured through to triumph in 1:56.4 over Kolbees Star and Made By Design.
“He has to mature,” said trainer Jim Raymer of Harbor Racing Stable’s $50,000 yearling acquisition. “This week he showed a whole lot more. Tony said he was large and wanted to get to them. There was no doubt where he was going.”
In the $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace, the always-tough Sam Hill — dismissed at 10-1 because of post 9 — took charge early and scored in 1:51 for Greg Wright, Jr., trainer John Sullivan and owner Don Tiger. The 9-year-old Artsplace-Apple Of My Eye gelding extended his career bankroll to $355,742.
Friday’s program at The Meadows, which kicks off a summer-long series of “Family Fun Nights,” features three divisions of the Super Bowl, a $191,217 PASS for sophomore trotting colts and geldings. Pinkman, the 2014 divisional Dan Patch Award winner, goes from post 1 in the third split (race 8). First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)