Odds-on favourites Once In A Lifetime (1-9) and Saint Louie (1-5) dominated Friday’s $140,146 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for three-year-old male trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, each winning a division and cementing a berth in the championship. Just as dominant was Dave Palone, who swept the stakes, known as the Super Bowl, among his seven victories on the 13-race card.
The $260,000 (est.) divisional PASS final is set for Sept. 3 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
On paper, Once In A Lifetime looked untouchable. His bank account was more than three times larger that that of any of his three rivals in the scratch-shortened field. Moreover, Jim Campbell, who trains the son of Father Patrick-Sherrys Lady for Sad Frog Farms, was adding Lasix to the colt’s arsenal.
In the race, he was just as untouchable as expected, cruising to a front-end score in 1:53.4. Father Stosh was a half-length back in second with Tenforthebigguy third.
Once In a Lifetime extended his lifetime earnings to $376,792.
“It was just like a training mile,” said Palone. “He got his own numbers. I just asked him at the head of the stretch and he was off by himself.”
Saint Louie (pictured above) had an even easier time of it, springing to the lead from post four and never experiencing an anxious moment in his 1:53.4 romp. The pocket-sitting Herodotus was second, beaten 2-3/4 lengths, while Crantini completed the ticket.
“The only thing to say: plugs in, wrapped up,” said Palone. “You never want to extend them any more than you have to with the final coming up, so I just kind of trained him around there.”
The Father Patrick-Emmylou Who gelding has hit the board in all nine career outings for trainer Ake Svanstedt and owners Ake Svanstedt Inc., Young Guns and Joe Sbrocco.
Crypto Currency (International Moni-Clover Market) was one of Palone's other Friday winners, taking a $20,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series split for three-year-old male trotters in 1:55 for trainer/owner James McIllmurray.
The other Stallion Series split went to Big Boy Ernest (International Moni-Woohoo Hanover) in 1:54.3 for driver Mike Wilder, trainer Norm Parker and owners Charles Receski, Ed Receski, Todd Brice and Bart Brice.
Stakes action continues on Saturday at The Meadows with a pair of events for three-year-old filly pacers: a $146,546 PASS and a $60,000 PA Stallion Series event. First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)