Trailing by six lengths at the half in his career debut, Sippinonsearoc unleashed a powerful first-over move that carried him to victory in a stakes-fastest 1:53.3 in the Pop-Up Series for freshman colt and gelding pacers on Saturday, July 6 at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Also winning $13,699 splits were Pants On Fire and Twin B High Tide, both driven by Austin Hanners, to give first-time starters a sweep of the second leg. Hanners added a cherry on his sundae when he got an owner’s win in an overnight with In Rock We Trust.
Sippinonsearoc was fifth when Ronnie Wrenn Jr. tipped him off the cones and asked him for pace. The son of Downbytheseaside-Queen Ann M responded by gobbling up the leader, Aiden Station, and downing him by 2-3/4 lengths. Quick Pittstop was third.
Ron Burke trains Sippinonsearoc for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, RAS Racing and Knox Services.
Pants On Fire found himself in a similar predicament, in a 7-1/2-length hole at the half. But he picked up the live first-over cover of Papis Rocket, then powered past him in deep stretch to defeat him by a half length in 1:53.4. Early leader Blue Ventura earned show.
Brian Brown conditions Pants On Fire, a son of Catch The Fire-American Myth, for Douglas Overhiser, VIP Internet Stable LLC, William Johnson II and Kalinoski Stable.
In Saturday’s $29,041 Open Handicap Trot, Tequila Talkin out-duelled first-over challenger Guido D, edging him by a head in 1:53.2 for Hunter Myers, trainer Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Double Account completed the ticket.
A nine-year-old Cantab Hall-Margarita Nights gelding, Tequila Talkin now has won 56 races and $648,160 in his career.
Burke fashioned a four-bagger while Dave Palone piloted three winners on the 13-race card.
Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes on Wednesday, with first post at 12:45 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)