Black Broadway, a bargain acquisition due to an unsightly and potentially dangerous medical condition, justified her connections’ faith in her when she pulled off a stunning 20-1 shocker in a stake-fastest and career-best 1:53.1 in Friday’s Pennsylvania Sires Stake for three-year-old filly trotters at The Meadows.
The stake, known as the Meadow Bright, was contested over three divisions, with Miss Tezsla and Lookin Sharp taking the other splits. Corey Callahan enjoyed a PASS double behind Black Broadway and Lookin Sharp.
Black Broadway developed a hematoma at two and was sent back through The Meadowlands sale after a pair of qualifiers. There, trainer Michael Eaton purchased her for $9,000 for himself and co-owner Robert McHugh.
“She won a qualifier in 1:59.1, so we thought we’d take a chance on her — $10,000 was our limit,” Eaton said.
Although the daughter of Broadway Hall-Sly Fox was winless in 11 previous outings this year, she came first over near the three-quarters and overtook last year’s divisional champion, Broadway Donna, defeating her by two and three-quarter lengths. Spicedbourbon girl was third.
“I got excited when I saw Corey pull her,” Eaton said. “I figured that meant she had enough trot. She gets better and better.”
Miss Tezsla also saved her brush for the stretch as she cruised past Womans Will to triumph in 1:53.3 for David Miller, trainer Jimmy Takter and owner Miss Tezsla Stable. Goodtogo Hanover, who suffered her first defeat in 10 outings this year, shot the Lightning Lane for second, one and a half lengths back, while Womans Will saved show.
“Her last few starts show she’s on the way up,” said Takter of the daughter of Andover Hall-Filly At Bigs. “I trained her mother — she was a really good filly for me. That was a good mile tonight.”
Lookin Sharp worked out a pocket trip behind Kathy Parker, then blew by in the lane to score in 1:55.2, two lengths better than Haughty. Kathy Parker saved show.
“She’s definitely improved,” Callahan said. “She won her first start here this year, then had a couple bad goes. But she’s always shown a lot of talent, and today she got the right trip.”
John Butenschoen conditions Lookin Sharp, a daughter of Andover Hall-Warrawee Krisp who extended her lifetime bankroll to $242,913, for William Wiswell and M&L Of Delaware.
The sub-feature on Friday’s card, a $40,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event, featured another upset, as South Side Hanover poured from the pocket to score at 12-1. Ameliosi captured the other $20,000 division.
South Side Hanover released Glidinthruparadise to the lead early and enjoyed a pocket trip thereafter. Nevertheless, trainer/driver Todd Schadel wasn’t sure the daughter of Cantab Hall-Sharise Seelster would have enough pop in the lane.
“I know my filly has a big brush coming home,” said Schadel, who owns the filly with Roger Hammer, “but I had to use her a good bit getting out of there. I thought the filly on the front end was the best in there. I would have been happy for second.”
But South Side Hanover had plenty, defeating Glidinthruparadise by a neck in a career-best 1:55. Keystone Taylor completed the ticket.
Ameliosi made it look easy on the front end, triumphing in 1:55.3, a lifetime mark, for Yannick Gingras. Twill Be Done finished second, half a length in arrears, with Casey T third.
“She doesn’t have a whole lot of stakes left; I’m not sure she’ll make it to the final of the Stallion Series,” said Jenny Melander, who trains the daughter of Explosive Matter-Amelia Hall for John DeVito and Rocco Manniello. “Other than that, she doesn’t have a whole lot.”
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday, when the card features a $100,000 PA Stallion Series event for two-year-old filly trotters. First post is 1 p.m.
(With files from The Meadows)