Palm Beach, confidently handled by Brett Miller, pulled the pocket before the final turn and rolled to victory in a stake-record 1:53.4 in Wednesday’s $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event at The Meadows.
The stake for two-year-old filly pacers was contested over five divisions, with McVita Bella, Lucys Pearl, Myrichmothernlaw and Dragon Town also taking $20,000 splits. Miller piloted Dragon Town to give him a stake double among his five wins on the 16-race card.
Palm Beach had been getting cheques in Pennsylvania Sires Stakes so was enjoying class relief. Miller, however, said there was a more important factor in her record-setting performance.
“When they scoped her after her race last week, she was sick with mucous — eight on a scale of 10,” Miller said. “They wanted to put her in a little cheaper class to brave her back up. She definitely feels like she’s getting over her sickness. She was grabbing on and wanting to go.”
Palm Beach downed Legal Process by two and three-quarter lengths, with Corona With Lime third. Michael Hall trains the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and Duncans Artsplace for Rojan Stables, Howard Taylor and Lightning 5 Racing Stable.
McVita Bella completed a sweep of her four stallion series preliminary divisions, although she needed a late miscue by the apparent winner to do it. Uffizi Hanover crossed the wire first, but was placed back to sixth for an extended gallop in the stretch. Starnight Dancer was promoted to second while Cams Dali was fourth-placed-third.
“She did get a gift; it’s always nice to get a little lucky,” said winning driver Mike Wilder. “She’s definitely a threat in the championship. You couldn’t ask for a filly with a better attitude.”
John Butenschoen conditions the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and Cheyenne Sabrina for Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, VIP Internet Stable, Tangie Massey and Bill Boyce.
Hammered down to 1-9, Lucys Pearl quarter-poled to the lead and jogged home in 1:55 for Dave Palone and trainer Run Gurfein, who owns the daughter of Well Said and Remember When with Elizabeth Novak. Rados Girl was second, four and a quarter lengths in arrears, while Sunlight Dancer earned show.
“I was very happy with her, the way she got home,” Palone said. “I thought she was the best; I just wanted to steer clear of trouble. She likes to do her work, and she can race any way you want her to.”
Racing at The Meadows resumes Friday with a trio of Pennsylvania stakes worth approximately $500,000. Since Friday’s card is the final program of the current meeting, the Pick 5, Pick 4 and last superfecta on the card all are “must-pays.” First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)