Star Recruit worked out a cozy pocket trip, then roared by in the lane to capture a division of Saturday’s Pennsylvania Sires Stake at The Meadows in 1:53.1, fastest this year by a two-year-old gelding pacer
on a five-eighths-mile track.
The $245,336 event known as the Albatross was conducted over four divisions, with Sweet Lou, Station Threeohsix and Cold Hearted Shark taking the other splits.
Star Recruit, a son of Dragon Again-Remarkable Star, broke his maiden with a pocket-sitting victory, and he tapped that plan again in the Albatross by sitting tight behind the leader, Mudslide. When Mike Wilder moved him outside for the drive, he easily passed Mudslide and defeated that rival by one and three-quarter lengths. TSM Warhol T raced well despite a wide trip for third.
“He was big when we bought him, but he’s really matured into himself,” said winning trainer Bruce Riegle. “Last week he was a little reluctant to pass, so we changed his bridle and a few other things and trained him like that. He was much more aggressive passing.”
Peggy Carter, Steve Carter, Robert Reid and Chuck Grubbs own Star Recruit, who is ticketed primarily for Pennsylvania stakes this year.
Sweet Lou, who in his last start became the sport’s fastest freshman colt on a five-eighths-mile track, lowered his mark three ticks with a frond-end victory for Dave Palone in 1:54.1, one of five wins on the 15-race card for Palone. Abbeylara raced evenly in the pocket for second, three and three-quarter lengths in arrears, while No Foreign Xchange rallied for show.
“I haven’t hit the gas with him yet this year,” Palone said. “So far, he’s the full package. He has superior intelligence, which you need to be a top colt. The horse has to let you do whatever you want with him, and he seems to be that kind of horse.”
Ron Burke trains Sweet Lou, a son of Yankee Cruiser-Sweet Future and a half brother to World Champion Bettor Sweet, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Larry Karr and Phillip Collura.
When Station Threeohsix found his cover stalling midway down the backside, he launched an impressive three-wide move that carried him to victory for Tim Tetrick in 1:54.2. Mattacardle was second, one and three-quarter lengths back, while early leader El Bravo saved show in his career debut.
“I just wanted to race him off cover and make sure he finished good,” Tetrick said. “I was hoping my cover would go a little farther, but my horse came a really good last quarter. He has a good motor. He’s a quick little dude.”
Ray Schnittker trains Station Threeohsix, a son of Western Terror-Ifuwantitcumngetit, for Creative Racing Stable.
(The Meadows)