On Wednesday, August 20 at the Meadows, Fred And Ginger, a full brother to top sophomore filly Ginger And Fred, showed that it can also turn some heads
, as the colt recorded a maiden-breaking victory in a division of a $278,160 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes.
The event, known as the Tyler B, was contested over a 'sloppy' surface in five divisions, with Fishers Character, Beignet, Nova Artist and One More Laugh taking the other splits.
The partnership of Howard Taylor, Robert Feldman, Edwin Gold and Exquisite Farms purchased Fred And Ginger, a son of Real Artist--Graceful Motion, as a yearling for $65,000, a price trainer Kevin Lare considers a bargain, given what the youngster’s sister has achieved.
“I had Ginger And Fred last year, and we went to the sale intent on buying this one,” Lare said. “We got him cheaper than we expected. We would have gone to a buck-and-a-quarter, so we figure we got him for half price.”
But Fred And Ginger experienced a series of setbacks in his first four starts ranging from lack of racing room to an irregular heartbeat, which was treated after he failed to finish in the Reynolds. In the Tyler B, he put his best moves together, sweeping past the field down the backside for Brett Miller and holding off This Dragonflyzzz by a head in 1:52.4. Jonesie Hanover was third.
Lare said Fred and Ginger is headed to the Metro Pace at Mohawk. Ronald Mersky bred both Fred And Ginger and Ginger And Fred.
Fishers Character also broke his maiden after four unsuccessful starts, but it took a career-best effort and a nearly disastrous mishap to get him home. With Fishers Character four and a half lengths behind at the top of the stretch, Pang Shui, who had a daylight lead, slipped a hopple. Tim Tetrick adroitly kept Pang Shui upright, but the incident set up the winning rally for Fishers Character, who scored in 1:54. McGreat was a head back in second, with Hasty Western third.
“This colt has a high turn of speed,” said winning driver Mike Wilder. “Yeah, things obviously played into his hands, but don’t take anything away from him. He was really on his game tonight. Even if the leader hadn’t run, I don’t know what would have happened because my colt was flying.”
Ron Burke trains the gelded son of Shady Character--Canaco Bercy for Burke Racing Stable.
Beignet made it two consecutive stake victories — both at the Meadows — with a front-end triumph for Dave Palone in 1:53.1, three quarters of a length better than Sand Savage. Thunders Fury finished third.
“He’s been one of our better colts, although he came along later than the other ones,” said Clyde Francis, second trainer for George Teague, Jr. “He’s a nice, level-headed colt. You can do anything you want with him.”
George Teague, Jr. Inc., Ted Gewertz and Teague Racing Partnership own Beignet, a son of Four Starzzz Shark--Armbro Truffle who also is ticketed for the Metro.
Michaelrowyourboat took the $27,500 Preferred Trot by holding off the late thrust of Hidden Viggorish and downing the World Champion by a neck in 1:54.2. Jimmy Smith drove and trains the four-year-old gelded son of Victory Sam--Tall Sunflower for Flowing Mineral Farm.
Palone drove four winners on the 16-race card.
(Meadows)