Despite stepping up in class, South Pacific had little trouble disposing of her Pennsylvania Sires Stakes rivals Tuesday at the Meadows, scoring in a stakes-fastest 1:52.3.
The $318,163 event for two-year-old filly pacers, known as the Meadow Cheer, was conducted over three divisions, with Champagne Tonight and Novascotia Hanover taking the other splits.
South Pacific won her only previous start, a PA Stallion Series stake, but the $170,000 yearling acquisition was facing a field that looked considerably tougher. But the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Best Laid Plans went right to the front from post 4 for John Campbell and scored a 3/4-length victory over Handsoffmycupcake. Offintothesunset was third. Tom Cancelliere trains South Pacific for John Cancelliere.
The 3-10 favourite, Champagne Tonight bubbled to the lead with a quarter-pole move for Tony Hall and held off the late charge of UF Dragons Queen to defeat that rival by a neck in 1:53.3. Southwind Siren earned show.
Clair Umholtz trains the daughter of Western Terror-Lake Shore Drive, who has been beaten only once in her six-race career, for Umholtz Racing Stable, Ngaire Umholtz and Kennedy Sports Corp.
Novascotia Hanover, a four-race maiden dismissed at a juicy 20-1, saved ground for Dick Stillings, then brushed late to prevail in 1:54.3. Somstreetsomwhere was second, 3/4 lengths behind, while Antigua Hanover completed the ticket.
Randy Bendis conditions the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Northern Sky and owns with Susan Castelli and Reed Broadway.
In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot, Sir Caviar made it three straight by thwarting the late threat of Hava Kadabra by a length and winning for Hall in 1:54.1. Rembrandt Spur was third. Leslie Zendt trains the six-year-old SJs Caviar-Sierra Flower K gelding, who now sports a gaudy career win percentage of 48.6, and owns with Bill Zendt.
Stillings and Mike Wilder each piloted three winners on the 16-race card.
(Meadows)