Saturday’s Delvin Miller Adios card at The Meadows also featured promising candidates for next year’s “Pace for the Orchids” in the $88,076 Gov. David L. Lawrence, a Grand Circuit stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers. If those hopefuls progress, expect trainer Sam DePinto to be all over the 2013 Adios, as he captured three of the four divisions with Double The Dragon, Our Dragon King and Smokealittlesmoke.
Santa Fe Beachboy took the other split.
Double The Dragon got away sixth from post nine for Ron Pierce but soon was out and moving second over. He was much the strongest in the lane, scoring in 1:53.2 for his third victory in four career starts. Talking Blues was second, two lengths back, with Normandy Invasion third.
“He’s the real deal,” DePinto said. “Week in and week out, he’s getting smarter and learning how to race. I think he’ll be a really tough colt. He can do it all. He can live on the outside all day long. Nothing bothers him. He just keeps going forward.”
DePinto said he’s pointing Double The Dragon to the Metro.
White Birch Farm bred the son of Dragon Again-Town Pro Miss, who was acquired for $60,000 at auction by Shannon DePinto and Earl Smith. White Birch liked the youngster so much it purchased an interest from the new owners.
Santa Fe Beachboy collected the fastest Gov. Lawrence victory when he quarter-poled to the front for David Miller and prevailed by two and a half lengths over Nutmegs Maya in 1:52.3. Tempster Hanover completed the ticket.
“He didn’t finish his last couple races well,” said winning trainer Brian Brown. “He’s had some breathing issues and mucus, and we’re hoping we finally got him straightened up. I would have liked to see him get home better today, but he was kind of hot. He could go to the Metro eliminations, but we have to get him under control.”
Santa Fe Stable owns the son of Somebeachsomewhere-Santa Fe Yankee, a $70,000 yearling purchase.
DePinto was a factor in the Grand Circuit stake $85,476 Catherine Baker Knoll for two-year-old filly pacers as well, scoring with Ideal A Little in her maiden win. Also taking splits were Donna Lee, Champagne Tonight and Somebodythatiustono. Trainer Tony Alagna enjoyed a Knoll double with Donna Lee and Somebodythatiustono.
Ideal A Little got away fifth for Pierce, but grabbed the lead with an extended uncovered move. She triumphed in 1:53, three lengths better than Novascotia Hanover, with Carols Desire third.
“I wanted to race her a little bit and tighten her up. She has some big races coming up,” Pierce said. “I wanted to let her know what’s it all about. She has a lot of potential. She has a high gear, and she’s very manageable.”
White Birch Farm bred Ideal A Little, a daughter of Western Ideal-Vegas Style, and owns with Shannon DePinto.
(With files from The Meadows)