Smoke Pan Mirrors, whose steppy gait last week might have cost her cash, was both sure footed and fleet footed Thursday at The Meadows in capturing the fastest division of
a $120,000 PA Stallion Series stakes event.
The event for three-year-old pacing fillies, which kicked off The Meadows’ 2010 stakes season, was contested over six $20,000 divisions. Feel The Jolt, Budgirls Hanover, Hokie Spirit, Hokie Heart and Cee Q took the other splits.
Dave Palone (Budgirls Hanover, Cee Q) and trainer Dane Snyder (Smoke Pan Mirrors, Feel The Jolt) fashioned stake doubles while owner Ron Mersky, trainer Dan Altmeyer and driver Mike Wilder enjoyed doubles with the Hokie girls.
Stake racing continues Friday at The Meadows with a $265,556 PA Sires Stake for three-year-old pacing fillies that has attracted divisional superstars Fancy Filly and Dancinwiththestarz.
Smoke Pan Mirrors was on the lead in the April 30 final of the Jans Luck Series when she appeared to jump three shadows; she ultimately recovered to finish third. However, Snyder traced the problem to her shoeing and made an adjustment. The improvement was evident immediately, as she blazed to the front in a :26.4 opening panel.
“She races better on the front end, kind of the best place to be with the best horse,” said winning driver Doug Snyder. “I wasn’t concerned about the first quarter. They had to go as fast as she did to chase her.”
The daughter of No Pan Intended-Sleight Of Pan kept right on going, scoring in a career best 1:53.3. The pocket-sitting She Can Dance was second, with Macs Miss America a rallying third. Judy Magie owns Smoke Pan Mirrors.
Feel The Jolt was winless in five seasonal starts entering the stake, so driver Dick Stillings thought a change was in order.
“I’ve had her in the two hole a couple times, and she didn’t come out of the hole that well,” Stillings said. “So I figured I would try her on the front end. She hung in tougher on the front than she would have sitting in a hole. She fought off the horses that were coming. I had a soft half, and that made it easier.”
She prevailed in a career-best 1:55.2, more than two lengths better than SJs Blissful Lady. Allswelthatendswel was third. Stake Your Claim 2 and Steven Marlowe own Feel The Jolt, a daughter of Village Jolt-Lovenfeeling.
When Palone vacated the pocket with Budgirls Hanover before the final turn, she converted the move to a comfortable victory in 1:54.4, a lifetime mark. The MGM Pan was second, while RM Morning Sunshine completed the ticket.
“I drove The MGM Pan some last year,” Palone said. “I remember her as a good filly, and she came here with some pretty good lines. So I thought following her would be best. We got the better trip today.”
Ron Burke trains Budgirls Hanover, a daughter of No Pan Intended-Built To Suit who triumphed for the 12th time in 29 career starts, for owner Randy Ringer.
In the $25,000 Preferred Handicap Trot, Chips And Wings thwarted the determined bid of Winning Mister to down that rival by a length in 1:54.2, a tick off his shared track record for four-year-old stallions. Flowing James was third. Tony Hall drove the son of Chip Chip Hooray-Silent Wings for owner/trainer Bethie Murdock.
(The Meadows)