Hammered down to 1-9, Jack Attack made it look like smart money when he captured a division of Monday’s $120,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event at The Meadows in a stake-record 1:53.
Jack Attack won a June 30 PA All Stars division with the benefit of a pocket trip. He needed no such help Monday when he zipped to the lead from the gate and defeated Ewald Hanover by 2-1/4 lengths, with Cammikey third. The time knocked two ticks from the previous stake record set last year by Shock It To Em.
“They told me he has a tendency to get a little hot, but he was perfect,” Palone said. “He rated well and got home well when I asked on him. He’s a nice colt.”
Joe Pavia, Jr. trains the homebred Allamerican Native-Pocket Queens gelding for Robert Becker.
Making his pari-mutuel debut, Dontmeswiththebest waited patiently in the pocket, then burst through in the Lightning Lane for Marcus Miller to score in 1:54 over Finley Hanover. War Front earned show. Robin Cruise conditions the Western Terror-Numberonetreasure gelding for Erv Miller Stable, Louis Willinger and Paymaq Racing.
“He warmed up all right today, looking at stuff at the new track,” Miller said. “But he’s a nice little horse. In his first start, I wanted to be as cautious as I could and still win. It doesn’t seem like much bothers him. He can only go up from here, right?”
Jackson Brady was a late foal, but he unleashed a veteran-like first-over move to collect his maiden victory in 1:55.1 for Brett Miller, trainer Randy Bendis and owners Jack B. Piatt II, R. Lewis Hauber and Bendis. Ivan Bob rallied for second, while early leader Foiledbythedragon saved show.
“He kind of surprised me today,” Bendis said. “I thought he’d be a little closer, maybe get a little more trip, but he really hung tough. He’s a June 15 foal, so he’s about as late as it gets. He’s eligible up through Lexington, but we just might take it easy on him because he’s a hair younger and less developed than some of the others.”
The stake for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers was conducted over six divisions, with Heart Felt (1:55.3), Leyden (1:55.1) and Jolted By Wine (1:55.2) also taking their $20,000 splits.
Dave Palone enjoyed a stake double with Jack Attack and Heart Felt, among his six wins on the 15-race card.
Stake racing at The Meadows resumes Tuesday with the Albatross, a $269,805 PA Sires Stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers. First post is 12:55 PM.
(The Meadows)