Papa Ray won his third straight in sparkling fashion Monday at The Meadows, using a three-wide backside blitz to blow away the field by 14-1/4 lengths -- and equal the stakes record 1:53.2 -- in a division of a $160,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event
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The stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers was conducted over eight divisions, with Ezpass Hanover, Wahine, Real Infusion, Dick Mctracy, Take It Back Terry, Nabber Again and Mcturesque taking the other splits.
Brett Miller (Papa Ray, Real Infusion, Take It Back Terry) and Dave Palone (Wahine, Nabber Again, Mcturesque) enjoyed stake triples while trainer Chris Ryder (Nabber Again, Mcturesque) sent out two division winners.
Papa Ray, an $1,800 yearling acquisition, endured a rocky beginning to his career, finishing eighth his first two starts. He’s been unstoppable since, winning three straight from off the pace.
“He surprises us every week,” said winning trainer Ernest Masci, Jr., who owns the son of Village Jolt-Liamatters with John Oblinsky. “He’s young and needs some experience, but we’re really tickled with him. The way the track was today, that’s a darn good mile.”
Papa Ray’s time, achieved on a surface slowed by intermittent showers, matched the mark set last year by Big Bad John. JW Racer was second with King Of Anything third.
Ezpass Hanover went right to the lead for Brian Zendt and cruised home in 1:54.1 for his second consecutive win. Metros Escape was five lengths back in second while Blueridge Wildcat completed the ticket.
“I thought he’d get a little lost on the front,” said winning trainer Tim Pinske. “He’s just green. He passes horses readily, then he just hangs out. But he’s a June 19 foal, so I’m just taking my time with him.”
Pinske Stables owns Ezpass Hanover, a son of The Panderosa-Express Gate and a $27,000 yearling purchase.
Wahine also triumphed on the front, downing What A Smile by two lengths in a career-best 1:54.4. Carol’s Comet earned show money.
“He’s a perfect horse to drive,” Palone said. “He got home good, and the track isn’t good, so I was happy. He’ll get nothing but better. He’s a very intelligent horse.”
Tony Alagna trains Wahine, a son of I Am A Fool-Armbro Wahine who won his second Stallion Series split, for Jerry Silva, Theresa Silva and Patrick Graham.
Tuesday’s card at The Meadows features the $242,535 Tyler B, a Pennsylvania Sires Stake for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers. First post is 12:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)