The stars of the Keystone State’s sophomore filly pacers division shined as expected Friday at The Meadows, but it was Panagler who stole the spotlight with an electrifying backside burst that carried her to victory in the $265,556 opening leg of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes.
The event, known as the Adios Betty, was contested over four divisions, with Fancy Filly, the O'Brien and Dan Patch award winner for 2009; Dancinwiththestarz, the 2009 PASS divisional champion, and Odds On Moinet taking the other splits. Dave Palone (Panagler, Odds On Moinet) and Brian Sears (Fancy Filly, Dancinwiththestarz) accounted for all four winning drives.
Panagler was no slouch at two, with a mark of 1:53 and $197,303 in earnings to her credit. But she may have paced under the radar as the Canada-based filly had limited exposure south of the border and saw her experience in the Breeders Crown final marred by a poor draw and a rough trip. Still, at odds of 100-1, she finished a creditable fourth to Fancy Filly.
In the Adios Betty, she announced loud and clear that she must be reckoned with this year. She was fifth, six lengths behind, when Palone sent her first over. She gobbled up the leaders in a :27.1 third panel and scored in 1:52.3, equaling the fastest mile this year by a three-year-old pacing filly on a 5/8-mile track. Ruffles Kiss was second by 2-3/4 lengths while early leader Kimmy saved show.
“I really wasn’t expecting a move like that,” Palone said. “I was conscious of racing her from the back in her first start of the year. It was an impressive move, yet she went through the wire with a bow in her neck — well within herself. She’s a top filly.”
Bob McIntosh, who trains the Peter Pan Stables homebred, said the daughter of No Pan Intended-Panipulator likely will race her next few starts at Mohawk.
Fancy Filly won tidily and professionally in her season debut following a decisive first-over move. She scored under wraps in 1:53.3, 1-1/2 lengths better than Rosies Pride, with Imperial Flower third.
“She got some pretty easy fractions in her first start of the year, so I’m pretty happy with that,” Sears said. “Her two qualifiers were super. She needs to go only a little bit better to be competitive with the top fillies.”
The daughter of Western Hanover-Fanciful Hanover pushed her career bankroll to over $874,000 for trainer George Teague, Jr. and owners George Teague, Jr., Inc., Ted Gewertz and Only Money Inc.
Dancinwiththestarz had a similar handy win in her seasonal debut, notching a front-end triumph in 1:53. Its De Lovely was a length back in second while Western Moonlight completed the ticket.
“She’s a handy filly, very versatile,” Sears said. “She knows what it’s all about. There’s a lot to her. If she races in Pennsylvania, she’ll be tough and probably fresh at the end of the year.”
John Stark, Jr. trains Dancinwiththestarz, a daughter of Four Starzzz Shark-So Western, who now has won 10 of 13 starts and $283,145, for W Springtime Racing Stable and Shannon Brott.
In the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot, Rose Run Keepsake overcame Post 9 with a determined uncovered move for Aaron Merriman en route to victory in a career-best 1:54.4. Toms OK Lady was second, a length in arrears, with Caviar Forthe Lady third.
Randy Bendis trains Rose Run Keepsake, a four-year-old daughter of Armbro Laser-Suchanicegirl, and owns with Diane Novosel, Reed Broadway and James Walton.
(With files from The Meadows)