Malinka, who started her career in the lower level of Pennsylvania’s sires stakes program, earned herself an upgrade Friday at The Meadows by pacing to a stake record 1:52.3 in a $120,000 Grand Circuit event
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The Arden Downs stakes for two-year-old fillies, named for Pennsylvania’s former lieutenant governor, the late Catherine Baker Knoll, was contested over six divisions, with Darena Hanover, Love You Bye, One Nights Desire, Yagonnakissmeornot and Air Guitar Hanover taking the other splits. Dave Palone (Love You Bye, Air Guitar Hanover) and trainer Tom Shay and owner Howard Taylor (Malinka, Love You Bye) enjoyed stake doubles.
Malinka made a quarter-pole move for Brett Miller and powered to victory in 1:52.3, knocking two ticks from the previous stakes record held by Sand Windsor. Frontierpan was second, a neck back, with McNickels McDimes third.
The performance convinced Shay that the daughter of McArdle-Nightlife, owned by Judith and Howard Taylor, is ready for the tougher, richer tier of Pennsylvania Sires Stakes.
“She doesn’t have a real strong pedigree and she’s a homebred, so we figured we’d try her in the Stallion Series,” Shay said. “We’ll try her in the sires stake at Chester next start. I knew that she could go more than she went last week. I knew she’d be strong if she could get to the lead. She trained down all winter like a horse who wouldn’t let anyone pass her."
Darena Hanover shot to the lead for Tony Hall and prevailed in 1:53.3, downing Cassies Winner by half a length. My Deal raced well first over for third.
“She was a little green on the front, but she seemed to have plenty left,” Hall said. “I wanted to be on the front; I thought she stood out in there. I thought that would be the safest place to be.”
Ron Burke trains Darena Hanover, a daughter of Yankee Cruiser-Dashaway Hanover, for Burke Racing Stable.
Love You Bye worked out a pocket trip before brushing home to triumph in 1:53.4. Early leader I Am Passionate was three-quarters of a length back in second while Princess Cruiser rallied for show.
“There isn’t a horse on the card that tries harder than she does,” Palone said of the daughter of McArdle-Cams Genious. “She’s a little on the small side, maybe not perfect gaited, but she has a terrific attitude and loves to do her work. She’s so willing I knew she’d go by tonight.”
Palone drove five winners on the 15-race card while Burke fashioned a triple.
Grand Circuit Week concludes Saturday at The Meadows when nine of the top three-year-old pacers in the sport vie for the blanket of orchids in the $500,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios. With more than $1.1 million in purses, the 17-race card also features the $181,000 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for three-year-old filly pacers; the $120,000 Gov. Lawrence for freshman colt and gelding pacers; a $50,000 Adios consolation and four Open events, each worth $50,000.
Saturday’s program includes a $10,000-guaranteed pool for the Pick 4 spanning races 9-12. First post is 12:55 p.m., with the Adios final projected to go at approximately 4 p.m.
(The Meadows)