Second in her last four starts, Homepage snapped her bridesmaid streak — and her maiden — Wednesday at The Meadows by capturing a Pennsylvania Stallion Series division in 1:59.2.
The $120,000 event for two-year-old filly trotters was contested over six divisions, with Blizzard Warning, Nicoe Ridge, Laureen, Global Beauty and Mystical Shyann also taking $20,000 splits. Brett Miller drove three stake winners (Blizzard Warning, Nicoe Ridge, Global Beauty) while Dave Palone fashioned a stake double (Laureen, Mystical Shyann).
Homepage entered the stake winless in six career starts, but had been frustratingly close of late. The daughter of Tom Ridge-Inside Edition confidently pulled the pocket before the three-quarters for Aaron Merriman and triumphed by three and a half lengths over the rallying Lindyofalifetime. Won Ton Hanover finished third. Syl King Jr. trains and leases Homepage.
Blizzard Warning enjoyed the same journey — popping the pocket early — and finished in the same time as Homepage. Rock On Mermaid was second, three lengths back, with Bellagio Bay third. Tye Loy trains the daughter of Glidemaster-Miss Blizzard and owns with Dean Davis.
Nicoe Ridge worked out a cozy pocket trip behind Tattoo You, then shot the Lightning Lane to defeat the early leader by half a length in 1:59.4. Casting Couch completed the ticket. Marty Wollam conditions the daughter of Tom Ridge-Samantha Coe for Deborah Kvemmo.
In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace, Hickory Big Red blistered the opening panel in :25.4 before being pocketed, but still had enough left late to prevail in a career best 1:50.1 for Brian Zendt, trainer Phillip Zendt and owner William Gilliland. Annieswesterncard raced well off a 26-week layoff for second, beaten a length, with the first-over Something For Doc third.
Stake racing at The Meadows resumes Friday with four divisions of the $306,136 Delmonica Hanover, a Pennsylvania Sires Stake for freshman filly trotters. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)