That Ole Bar Stool squeezed through a surprise seam around the final turn and rolled on to victory in a division of Saturday’s $133,106 Pennsylvania Sire Stake at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. The other split in the Hickory Smoke for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings went to Dandy by disqualification.
The 1-1 favourite, That Ole Bar Stool was third along the pylons when S I P loomed large outside and appeared ready to pass the leader Donzel Hanover. But when S I P briefly bobbled and bore out, Mike Wilder was able to sneak that Ole Bar Stool between horses. The Bar Hopping-I Gotta Feelin gelding powered home from there, scoring in 1:54.1. S I P finished second, 2-1/4 lengths back, with Famous Father third.
“S I P ran for like three strides and was going right, so I just kind of went left,” Wilder said. “Then when he came back trotting, I just put my legs in there. It was kind of my spot after he made the mistake, but it was tight. Driving this colt is like driving a car; you have to ask very little to turn him on.”
Robert Clark trains That Ole Bar Stool, who vaulted over $100,000 in career earnings, for Clark Stables LLC and Tina Clark.
Dandy raced impressively, making up most of a six-length deficit with an uncovered move, only to fall a nose short to Outside The Fire at the wire. However, Outside The Fire broke stride near the finish and was disqualified and placed back to fourth, with the victory awarded to Dandy. Kosher Mahoney and Pour Mea Double were promoted to second and third, respectively.
Jacqueline Ingrassia, winning driver and owner, said the victory was gratifying given what Dandy has overcome.
“He came to us with a multitude of problems, and he’s not even supposed to be racing with the issues he has,” she said. “He had a disease called epiphysis where the horse grows too fast for his bones. He had a leg on sideways and a big lump on top of that. The other two owners of the horse gave their shares to me because they didn’t think he’d make it. Neither did I.
“So for him to turn out this good is nothing short of a miracle. I think he’s so thankful that we took him under our wing and were very careful with him. He says, ‘I’ll do anything for you.’”
Frank Ingrassia conditions Dandy, a son of Cantab Hall-Cocoacabana.
$60,000 PA Stallion Series — Three-Year-Old Trotting Colts & Geldings
Ginger Tree Brad, Oh Boy and Emeralds Legacy each captured a division in Saturday’s sub-feature.
Ginger Tree Brad and Aaron Merriman passed up a tuck approaching the quarter and persevered for the point. It was the winning decision, as the Andover Hall-Madam Hooch gelding triumphed easily in a career-best and stake-fastest 1:55.3. Southwind Caine was second, beaten 2-1/4 lengths, while Mr Crimson earned show.
“This horse had a lot of talent last year, and he’s actually trotting much better than he was then,” Merriman said. “He was going very easy — plugs in — so I’m very, very happy with him. He’s much more mature, and his gait is night-and-day better.”
Sam Beegle trains Ginger Tree Brad and owns with Ginger Tree Ventures and W. Boyd Henderson.
In the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace, Dorsoduro Hanover quarter-poled to the front at the quarter and had little trouble from there, prevailing in 1:50.2 for Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Wingfield Five LLC. Carolina Beach and Bereaved Hanover completed the ticket.
The seven-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Deer Valley Miss gelding won his second straight and now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $2,027,935.
Dave Palone and Burke each enjoyed a triple on the 12-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday (June 8) when the program features a pair of carryovers — $12,278.56 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (Race 4), $1,254.30 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m. (EDT).
(MSOA)