Fulton recovered from an early misstep and steamed to victory in Saturday (July 2)’s $164,618 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Ervin Hanover and Ken Hanover captured the other divisions of the stake, known as the Albatross, for freshmen colt and gelding pacers.
Fulton opened his career with a 1:52.2 victory at Harrah’s Philadelphia. That he came back with an equally sharp outing in 1:51.4 was what impressed winning driver Scott Zeron most.
“He’s opened with two exceptional races,” Zeron said. “I always look to see how they rebound off a big first-time effort. To duplicate it shows that we do have something here. He just lost his footing going into the first turn but quickly gathered himself.”
Bugaboo Lou was second, a half-length back, with Annapolis Hanover third. Linda Toscano trains Fulton, a son of Heston Blue Chip-Better Be Steamin, for Let It Ride Stables and Bottom Line Racing LLC.
First-time starter Ervin Hanover was unhurried early, but when Yannick Gingras tipped him off cover into the final turn, he roared through the lane to score in 1:53.1, 1-3/4 lengths better than Its My Show. Lyons Surfing completed the ticket.
“I drove him many times in Florida, and he’s one of my favorite colts,” Gingras said. “He’s just so laid back. He does his job and not a lot more. He’s not one of the flashiest ones, but you think he’s one of those who could maybe take the next step.”
Ron Burke conditions the son of Captaintreacherous-Eloquent Grace for Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva Stables, Jim Simpson and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Ken Hanover quarter-poled to the top for David Miller and prevailed in 1:53.3. Lousain Bolt finished second, beaten three-quarter lengths, while Stay Grounded earned show.
“We got him in Harrisburg for $50,000,” said Roland Mallar, who trains Ken Hanover and owns with Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan and Dennis Osterholt. “He’s a Captain, and they’re hot items. He’s competitive, obviously. He’s acting like he has a little bit of go, so we’ll give him a chance.”
$80,000 PA Stallion Series — Two-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pacers
Ship Ship Hooray, Lyons Spirit, Lyons Stealth and Dempsey Hanover took the four stallion series slits, with Tim Tetrick, trainer Jim King, Jr. and owner Threelyonsracing enjoying a stakes double behind Lyons Spirit and Lyons Stealth.
Miller sent Ship Ship Hooray to the lead past the quarter, and the youngster had little trouble holding it in his career debut, downing Music Hall by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.2. Tennessee Strong finished third.
“I didn’t feel we would go much the second quarter, and my horse felt a bit aggressive in the hole,” Miller said. “I took a shot because he hadn’t been racing on the front. He handled it well.”
Chris Ryder trains the son of Captaintreacherous-Scandalous Hanover for Ryder Henderson Mondillo, Ken Jacobs and Barry Spak.
In the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace, Wild Wild Western won for the seventh time in 11 starts this year with a relentless uncovered move that carried him to victory in 1:50.4 for Mike Wilder, trainer Norm Parker and owners Jacobs Creek Racing LLC, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters. Wild Wild Western now has banked $470,185.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday (July 6) when the program features a pair of carryovers: $33,603.84 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (Race 4), $9,795.46 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m. (EDT).
(MSOA)