Love Matters remained undefeated in three career starts when she captured a division of Friday’s Edward M. Ryan, a $60,000 Arden Downs stake for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters, at The Meadows.
The stake was contested over three divisions, with Major Matter and Truemass Volo taking the other splits.
Love Matters was looped while working for the early lead, but winning driver Marcus Miller indicated that was part of the plan.
“Unless somebody was really honking, I was planning on cutting it,” Miller said. “I planned to take my time getting to the front if I had to. If he just goes a little bit faster, he’s the best two-year-old I’ve sat behind. He does it so easily. He seems like a superstar.”
Once on the point, Love Matters drew off to prevail by three and three-quarter lengths in 1:57.2, matching his career best. Raisethejollyroger and Breedlove completed the ticket. Robin Cruise trains the son of Explosive Matter-Lotsa Love for Ervin Miller Stable, Paymaq Racing and Harvey Eisman.
Major Matter, who prepped for the stake with a victory on the Pennsylvania Fairs circuit, made it look easy on the front end, scoring in 1:57.2 for trainer/driver Rick Beinhauer. Treasure Keys K was one and three-quarter lengths back in second, with Meadowbranch Memo third.
“He’s getting better and better,” said Beinhauer, who bred and owns the Explosive Matter-Tahiti Springs gelding with Regina Beinhauer. “He has a really big heart, and he’s good gaited and quick as a cat. He didn’t have a race, and I had to train him, so I figured, might as well go to the fairs.”
A winner in a PA Sites Stake last time out, Truemass Volo was too much for his rivals, hustling to the early lead from post seven for Eric Goodell and rolling home in 1:58.3, one and a half lengths better than Hillman. Moneycounts De Vie earned show. Doug Hamilton conditions the son of Muscle Massive-Tresbien Volo for John Erdner and Martin Garey.
“[Doug told me] he’s a little touchy with a real quick response, so kind of go slow with him,” Goodell said. “I know I got to the front from the seven-hole, but I eased him out there. I went on his terms.”
Friday’s card also featured the $60,000 Judge Joe McGraw, an Arden Downs stake for freshman filly trotters, with I Luv Blackhawkred, Maker A Yankee and Side Bet Hanover capturing the divisions.
I Luv Blackhawkred provided the evening’s toteboard fireworks when she zipped to the lead from post nine for Dan Rawlings, settled into the pocket and shot the Lightning Lane to upset at 20-1. The daughter of Yankee Glide-Sarafina Hall triumphed in 1:59.1, one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Lookin Sharp, with Sand Grenade third.
“I knew we had some gate speed, but from post nine, I thought we could use that speed to get a cheque,” said Dirk Simpson, who conditions the $17,000 yearling acquisition for James Bafia and Amy Quint. “I never dreamed we’d land in the two hole — gutsy move on Dan’s part. We have some points in the stallion series, so we’ll probably shoot for that this year.
Hammered down to 1-5, Side Bet Hanover justified the bettors’ confidence when she retook the lead at the three-eighths and blew them away, breaking her maiden by seven lengths for Dave Palone in 1:56.3. Lady Athens was second, while My Pink Bike rallied for show.
“She’s a beautiful filly to drive,” Palone said. “She has a big future. I believe that by season’s end, she’ll be one of the top fillies in PA.”
Jonas Czernyson trains the daughter of Donato Hanover-Sea Level Hanover for SRF Stable.
Maker A Yankee tracked down the first-over Moots in the stretch and downed her by one and a half lengths in 1:58 for Miller. Ballerina Volo earned show.
“After we qualified her a couple times, she got a little nervous,” Miller said. “So we’re trying to get her over that. She was making breaks. But if she stays calm, she’s as good gaited as any horse.”
Cruise conditions the daughter of Yankee Glide-Maker A Laker, who enjoyed her first career victory, for Ervin Miller Stable, Paymaq Racing and Andy Miller Stable.
Saturday is Adios Day at The Meadows, highlighted by the $400,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids Presented by Coors Light. The power-packed card also features five other Grand Circuit stakes, the $50,000 Adios Consolation, the $50,000 Roy D. Davis Invitational and four multi-race wagers with a combined $45,000 in total-pool guarantees. First post is 12:20, with the Adios set for approximately 4 p.m.
(The Meadows)