Sailer Eddie sailed right to the front and cruised home to win the fastest division of Tuesday’s $120,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series at the Meadows.
The event for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters was contested over five divisions, with Me And Cinderella, Boffin, Smoother Ride, Shockoe Hanover and Vitamin Hanover also capturing $20,000 splits. Dave Palone won five divisions, scoring aboard all but Boffin.
Sailer Eddie launched his career in the Pennsylvania All Stars at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, finishing an even fourth while trying to close. On Tuesday, Palone considered the son of Cantab Hall-Flirtin Victory ready for the front end.
“He’s a little on the lazy side,” Palone said, “but that kind usually learns and gets better. As fast as we go anymore, very rarely do you have to worry about them getting too aggressive. It looked like he might have had an experience advantage on them, and he’d been more, so I thought I’d take my shot where it’s safest.”
Bailout Special was second, three and a half lengths back, with Extra Cash third.
Chris Oakes trains Sailer Eddie for Hauser Brothers Racing and Matt Tudisco.
Boffin also scored a facile front-end victory — in his career debut — for trainer-driver Charlie Norris in 1:59.3, four lengths better than Waikiki Hanover. Bsmaximummoondream was third.
“He had a couple issues earlier, and we only got one qualifier in him,” Norris said of the $20,000 yearling acquisition. “But he was very good today. The great thing about him is he’s two fingers to drive, and he gets in gear quick.”
Jason Allen and Douglas Allen own Boffin, a son of Donato Hanover-Trance Anthem.
One of the most experienced freshmen in the stake with three previous starts, Me And Cinderella reached the lead with a quarter-pole move and prevailed by one and three-quarter lengths over Celebrity Stimulus in 1:59.3. Broadway Stepup completed the ticket.
“He was just perfect,” Palone said. “He got away good and alert from the rail, and we weren’t going any. So I moved him back to the front, and he stepped home :28.1 on his own.”
Joe Holloway trains the homebred son of Cantab Hall-Missys Goalfire for Bluestone Farms.
In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot, Sharp Edge shot the Lightning Lane and scored in 1:54 for Tony Hall, trainer Bruce Riegle and owner Robert A. Kauffman. Rembrandt Spur was second, one and three-quarter lengths in arrears, while Wind Surfer rallied for show. The five-year-old son of Jailhouse Jesse-Ten Queens now has been first or second in his last five starts.
Hall and Mike Wilder each enjoyed a three-bagger on the 16-race card.
Stake racing resumes Wednesday at The Meadows with four divisions of the $315,274 Hickory Pride, a PA Sires Stake for freshman colt and gelding trotters. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)