Denied a hole going to the quarter, Federalreservenote kept right on going and didn’t stop until he captured a division of a $53,200 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stakes for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters last night at the Meadows. His time of 2:01.3 was the fastest this year by a freshman trotting colt on a five-eighths-mile track.
Aaron Andover took the other division in 2:03.3, quickest this season by a two-year-old gelding trotter on a five-eighths-mile track.
Winning driver Dave Palone said he had every intention of taking a seat with Federalreservenote in the colt’s career pari-mutuel debut, but that circumstances dictated a change in plans.
“The brakes came on at the top, so I just thought I’d float him down the road,” Palone said. “I got the fractions I wanted. I actually welcomed the company I got first-over to get his attention. There was never a nervous moment. I never let him go.”
Federalreservenote, a son of Tom Ridge--Starlet Lane, triumphed by one length over Is This Thing On, with Cassini Hall third. Jimmy Takter trains Federalreservenote for Christina Takter and John Fielding.
Aaron Andover, also a first-time starter, broke stride at the gate in his two most recent qualifiers and failed to get away cleanly yet again Thursday.
“He got a little hot behind the gate after his first qualifier,” said trainer/driver Brooke Nickells, “so I put the cones on him. He actually was a perfect gentleman behind the gate today. He just took a little bad step. I thought, ‘here I got him out of the gate, and he tripped himself.’”
Recovering from the brief miscue, Aaron Andover powered to the lead past the quarter and drew off to win handily. Focus On The Rail was two and three-quarter lengths back in second, while Telephoto K finished third.
“He’s not the easiest horse to get along with at times,” Nickells said. “He wants to do what he wants to do. So I thought I’d just go on with him instead of jamming him up. He was the favorite, so I knew they’d respect him when I came at them.”
Glenby Farms owns Aaron Andover, a son of Andover Hall--Striking Honey.
(With files from the Meadows)
Well done Brooke, keep up
Well done Brooke, keep up the good work!