Money And Me moved easily through the rain and slop Thursday at The Meadows to capture a division of a $75,000 Arden Downs event in a stakes-fastest 1:58.4.
The Grand Circuit event for two-year-old filly trotters, known as the Judge Joe McGraw, was contested over three divisions, with Coffeecake Hanover and Classic Martine taking the other splits. Dave Palone enjoyed a stakes double with Money And Me and Coffeecake Hanover, among his four wins on the 15-race card.
Black Horse Racing gave $87,000 for Money And Me as a yearling on the recommendation of trainer Bruce Riegle, who projected her as a potential standout.
“We narrowed it down to five, and she was my pick of the five,” Riegle said. “She has size gait, a lot of speed, a lot of talent. I thought a lot of her all winter long. She actually trained with some three-year-old pacers.”
The daughter of Donato Hanover-Repetitions began to pay dividends on that investment when she brushed to the lead and won without challenge, 3-1/4 lengths better than Ruffleshaveridges. Cupcake was third.
Coffeecake Hanover won her last race, a Pennsylvania Sires Stake, on the front end, but Palone opted to try her from a hole in the Judge McGraw.
“We wanted to keep her in and teach her something,” Palone said. “I was tickled to death with the way she followed. She assured me she’s very quick out of a hole. When I moved her, she was all business. It’s an extra bonus getting her to sit in and be that quiet.”
The 1-9 favourite pulled the pocket at the three-quarters and drew off to triumph in 1:59.3, 6-1/4 lengths better than Won Ton Hanover. Electra De Vie earned show.
Ron Burke trains Coffeecake Hanover, a daughter of Cantab Hall-CR Calendar Girl, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Keith Pippi and Michelle Yanek.
Classic Martine had to duel for the early lead, but once there, she scored easily for trainer/driver Todd Schadel in 2:01.2. Vida De Vie and Prettysydney Ridge completed the ticket.
“She’s out of a well-bred mare,” said Schadel, who owns the homebred daughter of Classic Photo-Drinking Days with Christine Schadel. “She’s raced out of a hole every start until tonight. She can step out of the gate pretty good, and on nights like this, that’s where you want to be.”
Adios Week continues Friday at The Meadows with the Hanover Adios Yearling Sale at 1 p.m. The Friday card features two Grand Circuit stakes — the $82,471 Ned McCarr for three-year-old filly trotters and the $65,864 James Manderino for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)