Magic Tonight secured the lead with a relentless first over move, then rolled on to victory in 1:52.4, shattering The Meadows track record in a division of Wednesday’s $274,510 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters
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The event, known as the Super Bowl, was contested over three divisions, with Uncle Peter and My MVP capturing the other splits. Ron Pierce enjoyed a stake driving double with Magic Tonight and Uncle Peter.
Magic Tonight’s uncovered bid put away Nothing But Class, who was forced to go :26.4 to make the early lead. Emboldened by his success, Magic Tonight romped off to win by eight lengths over Money On My Mind, with Frost Bites K third. The time broke Encore Encore’s track and stakes record of 1:53.3 and is the fastest this year by a sophomore colt on a five-eighths-mile track.
“They’ve been telling me all along this is a very special horse,” Pierce said. “He really didn’t show it to me until today. Coming first over didn’t bother him a bit. When I asked him to go a little bit, he went a lot.”
Michael Vanderkemp, who trains the son of Andover Hall-Miss Possessed for Adam Victor & Son Stable, said he will be pointed to the Earl Beal at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
“He’s always shown a lot of potential,” Vanderkemp said, “but he’s had some soundness issues, mainly with his feet. He seems to like the bar shoes we put on him.”
Uncle Peter, last year’s Breeders Crown winner, was to launch his sophomore campaign May 25 at the Meadowlands, but a minor leg injury delayed his debut. He showed no ill effects in the Super Bowl, wearing down Stormin Normand, last year’s Pennsylvania champion, to triumph by three-quarter lengths in a career-best 1:53.4. Mr Ridgetaker was third. Uncle Peter’s performance drew high praise from his trainer, Jimmy Takter.
“I think he’s the best colt I’ve ever had,” said Takter, a Hall of Famer who has conditioned many top colts. “He’s a little goofy on the farm. He sees ghosts and jumps at them. That’s how he was injured. But on the track, he doesn’t get tired. This horse is unique. He’s the real deal.”
Christina Takter, Falkbolagen AB and Toronto's John and Jim Fielding own the son of Cantab Hall-Victory Treasure, who also is ticketed for the Earl Beal.
My MVP had been unable to gain late on top competition in his recent starts, so driver Mike Lachance modified his strategy in the Super Bowl.
“I knew I had to get him out of the gate this time,” Lachance said. “That helps him a lot. He’s kind of a lazy horse who does only what you ask him to do. But he’s safe-gaited, and he’s been improving every start. He’s not a bad colt, for sure.”
My MVP shot the Lightning Lane to prevail in 1:55.1, half a length better than Beer Summit. Solvato completed the trifecta. Tony Alagna conditions My MVP, a son of Cantab Hall-Exceed Expectation, for Brittany Farms, Joe Sbrocco and Modern Family Partners.
Thursday’s card at The Meadows features six divisions of a $120,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers. First post is 12:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)