Like Clockwork made a decisive quarter-pole move to the front and rolled to victory in a stake-fastest 1:52.4 in Wednesday’s Pennsylvania Stallion Series for freshman colt and gelding pacers.
The event was contested over three divisions, with Yupper and Iluvtomakemoney taking the other splits. Dan Rawlings enjoyed a stake double behind Like Clockwork and Yupper.
Like Clockwork is a Ponder colt out of Macharoundtheclock, long a fast-class performer at The Meadows popular for her exciting “Silky Sullivan” finishes. Tim Twaddle, conditioner of both mother and son for owner/breeder Birnam Wood Farms, said he sees similarities in the two.
“He’s very much like her,” Twaddle said. “She was a big, gorgeous thing, and he’s a clone of her. He’s a real special animal. He’s real green on the lead. I like to see him on a helmet. When Danny got him to the front, he kind of got lost up there until a horse got up where he could see him, and then he went on again. But he’ll learn.”
Dancinat Midland was second, five lengths back, while Scrub Hanover rallied for show.
Twaddle indicated Like Clockwork would next race in the Gov. Lawrence stake Adios Day at The Meadows.
A strong quarter-pole move also was key for Yupper, an Anatolia Farms Ponder-Real Nasty homebred. He held off the rallying Plus One by a length in 1:54, with early leader PCs Expresso third.
“I think he’s better off a helmet,” said winning trainer Roland Mallar, “but every time a horse came to him at the end, he kept digging in. He keeps trying. He’s nice to be around and handy to drive.”
Iluvtomakemoney had to work hard for his second Stallion Series win, grinding it out uncovered before overtaking Antagonist and downing him by two and a quarter lengths in 1:54. Go West Go Fast completed the ticket.
“I landed in the three hole, and I really didn’t trust the horse in the two hole,” said winning driver Tony Hall, “so I had to make the move. He felt good, and when I moved him, he kept going forward.”
Mark Harder conditions the Well Said-Symphony In Motion gelding for Joseph Jannuzzelli.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Saturday, when the card features a pair of eliminations (races nine and 10) for the $450,000 Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids as well as the Albatross, a $159,165 PA Sires Stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers. First post is 1:05 p.m., with the Adios elims set to begin at approximately 3:45 p.m.
(The Meadows)