Abandoning his front-end style, Not Nice came first-over to capture a division of Wednesday’s $60,000 Grand Circuit Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings at the Meadows to help Dave Palone to a driving sweep of the three-split event.
Mythical Hall and Triomphe De Vie also took divisions of the stakes event known as the Henry Oliver. The event was part of Adios Week at the Meadows, which is highlighted by Saturday’s $500,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios.
In the first two outings of his career, Not Nice tried to wire the fields but had to settle for a pair of thirds. In the Henry Oliver, trainer Jimmy Takter adopted a different strategy.
“Jimmy told me this horse would be better racing off the trot,” Palone said. “He told me to ignore all those lines that showed him on the lead. That’s how we chose to race him, and he was much better that way. He loves to track down horses.”
Not Nice raced willingly without cover, accelerating late to score in 1:58.4, the fastest of the divisions. Ooga Booga was second, with Ridgeandfamous a rallying third. Christina Takter, Falkbolagen AB, Order By Stable and Daniel Plouffe own Not Nice, a son of Glidemaster--Justgotafeeling.
Mythical Hall appeared to have an insurmountable lead thanks to a decisive quarter-pole move but encountered self-imposed trouble in the stretch.
“He pulled up and tried to run off the course,” Palone said. “I had to straighten him up and restart him. Then, he went. He has a world of talent. He just needs to mature a little mentally. He has all the tools.”
Despite trotting home in 32 seconds, Mythical Hall survived an inquiry and prevailed in 2:01.1, a head better than Runaway Duke. Bloomington completed the trifecta. Jim Arledge, Jr. trains Mythical Hall, now undefeated in two starts, for Thomas York and Joe Sbrocco.
Triomphe De Vie’s triumph was much less eventful, as he charged to the front and fashioned an unthreatened win in 1:59. Kash’s Cantab was second and Ax Man third.
“He was well within himself,” Palone said. “He’s such a big, growthy colt that I think from (age) two to three, he’ll really mature and make quite a nice horse. You do have to keep his attention. He loses track of things sometimes.”
Ron Burke trains Triomphe De Vie, a gelded son of Andover Hall--Ecstatic, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables and Randy Ringer.
Jogging Home Flies Home In $100,000 Grand Circuit Stakes
Jogging Home flew home for trainer/driver Marty Wollam to win a division of Wednesday’s $100,000 Grand Circuit stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies at the Meadows.
The event, known as the Judge Joe McGraw, was contested over five divisions, with Hall N Flori, Swing Anna Cash, Catching Katie and Sister Kate taking the other splits. Tony Hall enjoyed a stakes driving double with Swing Anna Cash and Catching Katie.
Jogging Home jogged along patiently in fourth, waiting until the final turn to make her move. She sprang past the leaders and scored in 1:59.4, one and three-quarter lengths better than Seducedbychocolate. Easy Agenda earned show money. Patricia Wollam, Julie Sweet, Kenneth Hahn and Dale Sweet own Jogging Home, a daughter of Tom Ridge--Jodis Jayme.
“When the horses on the front end started getting tired, it was time to go,” Wollam said of his $24,000 yearling acquisition. “I kind of expected them to go a little bit more, but my filly didn’t surprise me. She’s been training good all year long. My partner, Dale, picked her out. The one I bought is racing at the fairs.”
Hall N Flori recorded the fastest Judge McGraw clocking, scoring in 1:58.4. But that mark won’t tell you about her misadventure in the stretch when her comfortable lead nearly evaporated.
“It wasn’t so much that she got tired, but for some reason, she was hanging on the right line really hard,” said winning driver Brett Miller. “Something’s pinching her. My having to steer her that hard made it look like she got tired. I’m sure Kent Sherman will fix it.”
Sherman trains the daughter of Broadway Hall--Rose Run Flori for Dean Davis.
Speaking of misadventures, trainer Dee Hotton, who along with Robert Castaldo and Bruce Hotton leases Swing Anna Cash, got the filly through just such an occurrence.
“She was in the Harrisburg sale and got injured,” Hotton reported. “We made a deal with the breeder to lease her for a couple years. I like her size, her competitiveness and her general attitude.”
In the Judge McGraw, the daughter of Cash Hall--Swing Anna Miss came first over to erase a three and a half-length deficit and break her maiden in 2:00.1. Devilish Emerald finished second and Lady Ridge third.
(Meadows)