Royaltyhasarrived converted a relentless uncovered move to victory in 1:55.4, fastest split of Monday’s $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallions Series stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers at The Meadows.
The event was contested over five divisions, with Sammy Said, Hall Of Terror, Smiling Terror and Cartel taking the other splits. Dave Palone, who piloted six winners on the 16-race card, enjoyed a stake double behind Sammy Said and Cartel.
Royaltyhasarrived was coming off a trip both disastrous and promising in the PA All Stars; he was parked every step but was making up ground late while individually timed in 1:54.4. Winning driver Dan Rawlings, who was aboard that day as well, figured that made his horse the best — particularly with Monday’s addition of earplugs.
“Last week I couldn’t get him in a hole, I couldn’t hold him,” Rawlings said. “It was kind of embarrassing; it took a little pride out of me. But he definitely was fast enough. Being honest, I didn’t think I would lose this race today. If he learns a little more to go with his natural ability, he might be able to go with the sires stakes horses later on.”
The Western Terror-Her Mattjesty gelding defeated Hillbillyrootdiggr by 4-1/2 lengths, with Caserati Hanover third. Steve Schoeffel trains Royaltyhasarrived for Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel, Jerry Dedoszak and Michael Munn.
Sammy Said vaulted to the early lead for trainer Mark Harder and owner Fox Hollow Farm, the held off B Well by a head to triumph in a maiden-breaking 1: 56.2. UF Larry Alltheway earned show.
After Sammy Said trailed throughout in his PA All Stars split, Harder was looking to shake up the youngster.
“Mark said to put him in the hunt,” Palone said. “He thought the horse was a little better than he showed the first start. We didn’t plan on getting stuck on the lead. I was impressed with the little guy. He gives you a good try.”
Smiling Terror began his career with two front-end victories in qualifiers, but in Monday’s stake, he angled off the cones from fourth for Mike Wilder and scored at first asking in 1:56.3. Given Up Terror raced well uncovered for second, 2-1/2 lengths in arrears, with Battle Cruiser third.
“He got to move a little bit in both qualifiers, so we knew he was capable of making moves,” said Steve Owens, who conditions the Western Terror-ASAP Or Sooner gelding for Last Laugh LLC. “He had to back out around them in the last turn; that’s a hard move for young horses.
Elsewhere on the program, Nice Party won her seventh consecutive race in a conditioned Fillies & Mares event — a remarkable turnaround from her sophomore campaign in 2013, when she lost all five outings. Tony Hall drove the daughter of Party At Artsplace-Nicen Big for trainer Randy Bendis, who owns with Tom Pollack.
Tuesday’s program at The Meadows features the Albatross, a $236.060 PA Sires Stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers. First post is 12:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)