When is a driver officially hot? When he or she wins five or six races on a single program? Well, then, what are you if you rein nine winners on a single race card?
On Wednesday, July 27 at the Meadows, The Evictor and Mythical Hall triumphed in their respective Arden Downs Stakes events for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The duo shared the spotlight with Dave Palone, who piloted both as part of his nine-win evening.
Palone, who is approaching both the 15,000-win and $100-million plateau, was victorious in 11 races at the Meadows on April 21, 2008, and twice before has driven 10 winners on a single card.
In Wednesday’s event, known as the James Manderino, The Evictor shot to the front and turned the race into a rout, as he jogged home in a career-best 1:55.1. The pocket-sitting Ax Man was second and M Douglas was third. The Evictor now boasts two wins and two seconds in his five starts since adding hopples, although trainer John Butenschoen says the new rigging is only one reason for his turnaround.
“He got a quarter crack in his right front,” Butenschoen said. “We put the hopples on to get him over that. We patched him, worked on his feet and went to glue-on shoes. I don’t know if we’d have put on the hopples but for the quarter crack, but it’s been a combination of things. He’s good now.”
William Wiswell and Jean Goehlen own The Evictor, a Valley Victor--Expressive Chip gelding.
Mythical Hall took another path to victory, as he trotted patiently behind Buffalino Hanover before shooting the lane to score in a mark-lowering 1:55.3. Washingtonian closed well for second and Buffalino Hanover finished third.
“I always thought this horse had a ton of ability,” Palone said. “It was just a matter of getting squared away. It’s been little hiccups he had to get over. He won tonight with the earplugs in and full of himself.”
Tony Alagna trains Mythical Hall, a son of Andover Hall--Myth, for Thomas York and Joe Sbrocco.
Grand Circuit Week continues Thursday, July 28 at the Meadows with the $89,034 Ned McCarr, an Arden Downs Stakes event for three-year-old trotting fillies, as well as the Miss Adios Contest.
(With files from the Meadows)