Pinned against the cones with no path outside as the field turned for home, Fancy Like Louuuuu found the Lightning Lane just in time and scored in the Pop-Up Series at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Thursday, July 11. Skepticism captured the other $13,699 second-leg division in the event for freshman filly pacers.
Fancy Like Louuuu had plenty of pace but no room to challenge the leader, Angel Heart, until the pocket-sitting Avas Remy moved wide for the drive. That left Fancy Like Louuuuu and Aaron Merriman the inside route to victory — and they took it, powering past Angel Heart to down her by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4. Avas Remy finished third.
Sarah Andrews trains the daughter of Sweet Lou-Somewhere Sweet and owns with Angela Cornell and Jarod Miller.
Undeterred by the presence of 1-5 favourite Country Dancing leaving alongside her, Skepticism took her time making the point, but she had little trouble from there en route to a 1:56 maiden-breaking score for Mike Wilder, trainer Doug Snyder and owner Frank Poerio Jr. Anna Loves Bananas was second, three lengths back, with Dancin With Pappi third. Country Dancing, meanwhile, struggled first over and finished fourth.
Aaron Merriman piloted four winners on the 13-race card.
Friday’s program at The Meadows features a pair of stakes for freshman colt and gelding trotters: a $163,135 USD Pennsylvania Sires Stakes leg and an $80,000 USD PA Stallion Series event.
On the wagering front, the card offers a $7,500 guarantee in the Early Pick 4 (Race 1) courtesy The Meadows, the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) and the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Initiative. Also featured is a $1,224.41 carryover in the Pick 5 (Race 9). First post is 5:10 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)