Captain Albano snapped out of his foul humour just in time to score in a stakes fastest and career-best 1:51.1 in Friday’s $170,320 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Also taking splits in the event, known as the Tyler B, for freshman colt and gelding pacers were Gem Quality, Solar Solution and Captain Fear Not.
Noel Daley, who trains Captain Albano for Patricia Stable, L A Express and Sjoblom Inc., and Michael Dolan, said the colt was in “a bad mood all day.”
“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Daley said of the $150,000 yearling acquisition. “He was a complete goof all day, so I didn’t know which way he would go, whether he would be on his game or not. He’s staked to everything. I don’t know if he’s a superstar, but he’s a very nice horse.”
The son of Captaintreacherous-Angelou showed no signs of grumpiness when he moved three-wide through the final turn for Todd McCarthy and defeated War Machine by 2-1/2 lengths. T H Tyson finished third while Rose Run Zeke, trying to stretch his career unbeaten streak to six, tired from a tough first-over bid and faded to last.
Gem Quality hadn’t raced in nearly a month while recovering from a foot abscess and, to add insult to injury, he blew the final turn. But even with that wider-than-usual rally through the lane, he collected his second victory in as many career outings by winning in a lifetime best 1:51.4 for Dexter Dunn. Solid Character was second, beaten a neck, with Aintbluenomore third.
“I’ve always thought he was a good horse,” said Chris Ryder, who trains the homebred son of Captain Crunch-Twinkle for Let It Ride Stables, Bottom Line Racing, Brad Grant and Enviro Stables. “Hopefully, we’re going to the Metro Pace. I’m very happy with this horse. He’s been good all along.”
Driver Matt Kakaley enjoyed a stakes double behind the Jenn Bongiorno-trained Solar Solution (Sweet Lou-Solar Sister), who broke his maiden in 1:52.3, and trainer Kathe Troy's repeat PASS winner Captain Fear Not (Captain Crunch-Mikayla Rose) in 1:53.
Hard To Catch, Syed Ali K and Armada Hanover captured the $20,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series splits for this division with Tim Tetrick fashioning a stakes double piloting Syed Ali K and Armada Hanover.
Hard To Catch was a three-race maiden entering the Tyler B, and when he launched a three-wide bid down the backside, it didn’t seem promising. But the Sweet Lou-Stonebridge Damsel gelding swooped the leaders and went on to a 1:53.4 victory. Yearn To Learn was 1-3/4 lengths back in second, while Fredericktown Lad completed the ticket.
“He felt really good when I moved him,” said winning driver Hunter Myers. “It was all him. He knew where he was going. I chased him a little bit just to keep his attention, but he basically powered home on his own.”
Britney Dillon conditions Hard To Catch for Howard Taylor and William Hartt.
Saturday’s card at The Meadows features a pair of stakes for freshman colt and gelding trotters: a $155,160 PASS and a $60,000 PA Stallion Series event. First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)