Waiting patiently while his rivals dueled themselves into submission, Johns Polyview launched a powerful uncovered move that carried him to victory in 1:51.1 — a track and stake record — in Tuesday’s Pennsylvania Sires Stake at The Meadows.
The $325,776 event for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers, known as the Tyler B, was contested over four divisions, with Martini Hanover, Lex Vegas and The Pan Poobah also taking splits. Yannick Gingras enjoyed a stake double behind Lex Vegas and The Pan Poobah.
Johns Polyview watched several early lead changes over a swift :54.3 half before making his move for David Miller. He scored by a neck over Twilight Bonfire, with Clint Westwood a rallying third.
The time knocked a tick off Dapper Dude’s stake and track record for freshman colt pacers and is the fastest mile this year by a two-year-old colt on a five-eighths-mile track. Donna Marshall trains the son of Mcardle-Q And A for Mortberg Trust 10-27-98.
Not to be outdone, Martini Hanover converted a pocket trip into victory in 1:52, fastest mile this season by a freshman gelding on a five-eighths-mile track. The pacesetting Our Dragon King, who saw his four-race winning streak snapped, missed by a nose, with Dovuto Hanover third.
Dave Palone drove and Chris Ryder trains the son of Dragon Again-Maremma Hanover for Robert Mondillo.
Lex Vegas moved first up for his victory in 1:52.3, surviving an inquiry for a possible pylon violation. Delaware Hanover was three-quarters of a length back in second while Smokealittlesmoke earned show.
Brian Brown trains the son of Christian Cullen-Just Call Me Angel for VCS Racing.
The Pan Poobah provided the stake’s tote board pyrotechnics when he charged through the Lightning Lane to triumph — at 62-1 — in 1:54 for trainer Ron Burke and owner/breeder Peter Pan Stables. Meetbehindthebarn was second, with My One Tru Desire third.
Stake racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday with a $120,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event for two-year-old filly trotters. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)