Valley Of Sin blazed to a track record 1:52.3 in a Pennsylvania Sires Stake division Friday at The Meadows, locking up his spot in the PASS championship. However, the jubilation in his corner quickly turned to concern when he exhibited the effects of an injury apparently suffered during the race.
The $237,045 event for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters, known as the Hickory Smoke, was contested over three divisions and was the final qualifying PASS leg. Its Complicated and Bluto — each on the outside looking in at the championship before the Hickory Smoke — captured the other splits to secure spots in the final. The Meadows will host all four $260,000 championships for three-year-olds Friday, Sept. 13.
Valley of Sin launched a powerful first-over move from fourth for Corey Callahan and drew off to triumph by six and a half lengths over Lindys Tru Grit, with Possessed Fashion third. The time, a stakes record, also knocked a tick from the track record for sophomore colt trotters established by Magic Tonight last year.
After the staff of trainer John Butenschoen examined the son of Yankee Glide and Anklet Hanover in the winner's circle, they unhitched his sulky and walked him gingerly back to the paddock as he favoured his left front leg.
“He felt absolutely awesome during the race,” Callahan said. “In the last turn, he put in a funny step on me. I just eased him through. He really wants to do it.”
VIP Internet Stable and Harmony Oaks Racing Stable own Valley Of Sin, who is eligible for next week’s Colonial.
Its Complicated began the evening ranked 10th in PASS points. But using Lasix for the first time, he hustled to the front for Eric Ledford and hung on to down High Bridge by a neck in 1:53.4. Smoother Ride earned show.
Kris Hite, who conditions the SJs Caviar-Before The Rain gelding for Hatfield Stables, called Lasix a factor in the winning performance.
“I think Lasix was pretty big,” Hite said. “He got beat in his last two starts when he got a little tired late. It’s been a long time since I had one in the PASS final — won all three divisions and made a break in the final. Hopefully we get a little better luck this time.”
Tied for ninth in PASS points with Vibe Blue Chip and facing that rival in his split, Bluto needed a big race to make the final. He got it...and a break. Though he finished second to Vibe Blue Chip, he was awarded the win when Vibe Blue Chip was disqualified to sixth for interference around the final turn. Show Ticket was promoted to second while Longwell was fourth-placed-third.
Dave Palone drove the son of Donato Hanover and Blur for trainer Jimmy Takter and owners Christina Takter, John Fielding, Louis Camara and Jim Fielding.
In Friday’s $80,000 PA Stallion Series for three-year-old male trotters, Team Six got away as poorly as usual, but moved well behind cover to capture his division in 1:54.3, matching the stake record set last year by Wing Tips. Also taking $20,000 splits were Rossini, Hampton Beach and Sailer Eddie.
Winning driver Mike Wilder anticipated a sluggish start from Team Six and got exactly what he expected.
“They told me to get his attention and babysit him for the first eighth, and after that he should be fine,” Wilder said. “That’s exactly what he was. He really did nothing wrong.”
The son of Yankee Glide and Armbro Vanquish moved quickly behind the live cover of Cantab Abs, brushed by him in the lane and bettered him by three lengths. Ruddy Rusty completed the ticket. Robin Cruise trains Team Six for Peggy Hood, Mystical Maker Farms, Paymaq Racing and Jorgen Jahre Jr.
Rossini worked out a cozy pocket trip and exploded late for trainer/driver Jim Raymer and owner Harbor Racing Stable to prevail in 1:55.3, a head better than Born To Fight, with Hep third.
“In the better group, you have to learn to sit to go with them, and he’ll do that,” Raymer said. “I really think he can go in 1:53, but he likes 1:55.”
Stakes racing at The Meadows resumes Monday with an $80,000 PA Stallion Series event for freshman colt and gelding pacers. First post is 12:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)