Making the first start of her sophomore campaign, Ma Chere Hall followed cover beautifully and scored in 1:55, the fastest mile in Wednesday’s $108,000 Currier & Ives for three-year-old filly trotters at The Meadows.
The stake was contested over three divisions, with Faith and Top Tart taking the other $36,000 splits.
Ma Chere Hall captured the final of the 2012 Kindergarten Series at Vernon Downs, but hadn’t raced since her third-place finish in the Nov. 18 Matron Stake. Because of the long layoff, Corey Callahan waited for cover before sending Ma Chere Hall after the leader, Promisemethis.
“She’s always been better up near the lead, but she used to be really hot; we didn’t really have a choice but to leave with her,” Callahan said. “She’s come back quiet this year. I figured if she would cooperate with me, I would try her off the trot. If she didn't win, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, being her first start.”
Ma Chere Hall downed the rallying Royal Assets by 1-1/4 lengths while Promisemethis saved show. Jonas Czernyson trains the daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe-Margarita Hall for Aldebaran Park and Joe Sbrocco.
Faith got away no better than sixth in her five most recent starts and Brett Miller ducked her by design again.
“Any time I come up on a horse, she wants to pass so bad,” Miller said. “Eventually we’ll try her on the front, but I still haven’t taught her to really fire out of there. We don't want her getting hot. She’s very manageable — she drives like a Cadillac — and we don't want her getting warm now.”
The daughter of Donato Hanover-Flexible Spending produced her customary first-over charge, kicking by Coffeecake Hanover late to defeat her by 1-1/4 lengths in a career-best 1:56.1. The ground-saving Chiptomylou earned show. Roy Mac Davis trains Faith for Hatfield Stables.
Top Tart had broken stride in three of her last four outings, persuading trainer Ron Burke to rig her with hopples for the Currier & Ives. The improvement was noticeable as the daughter of Andover Hall-Shesa Priority followed cover willingly and upset at 10-1 in 1:57. The unlucky Ruffleshaveridges, who lacked racing room, was second 2-1/4 lengths back with Prettysydney Ridge third.
“I’m sure the hopples made a difference,” winning driver Eric Ledford said. “She’s a little bit of a problem child. But you give Ronnie a little time, he’ll definitely get them figured out. She’s still getting excited, but when she does have a bit of a mental breakdown, the hopples support her.”
Wayne Zollars owns Pop Tart, who has won five of 10 lifetime starts.
The $134,426 Open Division of the Currier & Ives, featuring a trio of talented trotters from the Jimmy Takter stable, highlights Friday’s card at The Meadows. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)