Trailing by seven lengths at the half, Saras Dragon unleashed a determined uncovered bid that carried her to victory in 1:56, fastest division of a $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies
Tuesday at The Meadows.
Trainer Roland Mallar projected Saras Dragon as sires stake material but revised his thinking when she fell behind in training.
“She hurt herself turned out in the paddock, so I had to keep her in the stall for three weeks,” Mallar said. “She’s really not where I would like to have her, but she was good enough today. This series looks like a pretty good spot for her.”
While she found her Reynolds division too tough in her career debut, she responded well Tuesday when Eric Ledford moved her off the pylons, gobbling up ground to defeat Jolting Kate by a head. Reprise Hanover finished third.
Anatolia Racing Stable owns the homebred daughter of Dragon Again-Dancing Emma, who Mallar indicated likely will remain in Stallion Series events.
Taking the lead with a quarter-pole move, Dragon Dance found herself in a cutthroat backside duel with Joy Of Spring. When Joy Of Spring weakened, Dragon Dance paced on smartly for Roger Hammer, scoring in 1:56.2. Real Amor was a length back in second, with Vocal Hanover third.
“I wanted her on top because she’s lazy,” Hammer said. “But if you work on her, she’ll race for you. I had to keep tapping her the whole time. If you don’t keep her mind on business, she’ll take herself right up.”
Todd Schadel trains the daughter of Dragon Again-Kuklapanandollie for Horse Around Stable.
Hurrikane Marni enjoyed a ground-saving trip, then brushed home in 28.4 to triumph in 1:56.4. She was 1-1/2 lengths better than the first-over Blissful Artist, with Fashion Gal third.
“I’ve been impressed with her all along,” said John McDermott, who trains the daughter of Real Artist-Kiss Me I’m Lucky — a $6,000 yearling acquisition — for Hurrikane Racing LLC and Jonathan Klee Racing Inc. “I wanted to put her in a sires stake, but in her last baby race, she got locked in. She didn’t get a chance to get as tight as I needed her. So I figured I’d put her here and teach her the right way.
“She’s in the Aug. 1 sale at the Meadowlands. We’ll have to determine whether to sell or not. I like to break them, get them to the races and keep them if they’re top quality. If they’re not, I generally let them go.”
The stake, which was conducted over five divisions saw Virgin Mary and Shocked Ivy taking the other splits. Brett Miller fashioned a stake driving double with Hurrikane Marni and Shocked Ivy, among his four wins on the 15-race card.
Ledford and Dave Palone each drove three winners on the card.
(The Meadows)