Cant I extended her career unbeaten streak to four — and set a stake record to boot — in Tuesday’s Pennsylvania Sires Stake at The Meadows.
The event for freshman filly trotters, known as the Delmonica Hanover, was contested over three divisions, with Sianna Hanover and Temple Ruins — both trained by Ron Burke — taking the other splits.
Cant I is regally bred — by Cantab Hall, out of Buck I St Pat, a three-time Mare Trotter of the Year. For all that, trainer Bob Stewart eased her into racing in the PA Stallion Series before tackling the tougher PASS, a schedule suggested by the filly’s regular driver, John Campbell.
“John thought she had ‘A’ talent but we probably needed to start her in the ‘B’s,’” Stewart said. “Where we train in the winter in Lexington, it takes us a little while to get up to speed. The worst thing you can do is throw them in deep water, so we tried to work our way into it. This was the first time she’s been this speed, and she handled it very well. I can’t knock anything about her. She’s pure gaited and wants to win.”
In the Delmonica Hanover, Cant I and Campbell worked out a pocket trip before they blew by the 1-2 favourite, Fine Tuned Lady, in the lane, scoring in 1:55, with Royal Melbourne third. The time knocked a tick from the stake record established in 2014 by Livinthefastlane and Campbell. The partnership of Taylor, Gold, Basen and Fuller owns Cant I, who collected her second PASS victory.
Sianna Hanover broke stride in the final of the James Doherty Memorial, prompting Burke to rig her with hopples. The daughter of Donato Hanover-Simplicity responded beautifully, zipping to the front for Tim Tetrick and holding off Dangle Then Deke in a career-best 1:55.3. Favourite Chezatter completed the ticket.
“My filly is pretty legit, and she shows she can go pretty good on the front,” Tetrick said. “I qualified her last week, and she’s done nothing wrong for me. I’m sure the hopples helped her and steadied her gait.”
Burke Racing Stable LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables and J&T Silva Stables campaign Sianna Hanover, who has two wins and a second in PASS action.
Temple Ruins was away fourth, but her job became easier when her chief rival, Treviso, broke stride while vying for the early lead. Yannick Gingras sent the daughter of Donato Hanover-Temple Of Heaven to the top at the quarter, and she prevailed in 1:56.2, a life mark. Youvegotwhatitakes was second, 2-1/2 lengths back, while Future Secured earned show.
Gingras indicated his principal strategy was to keep within range of Treviso.
“I never would have sat fourth,” he said. “I thought it was a two-horse race, and I wasn’t about to let Treviso get away from me.”
Burke Racing Stable LLC, Michelle Yanek, Paul Treiber and Weaver Bruscemi LLC own Temple Ruins.
In the $20,000 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace, Shesasmokinlady, a three-year-old taking on a field of distinguished mares, socked it to her elders when she roared through the stretch and triumphed in 1:51 for trainer/driver Ray Paver and owner/breeder Iris Horowitz. Spreester was a length back in second while Certified Ideal shot the Lightning Lane for show.
The daughter of Mcardle-Smokin Pistol pushed her career bankroll to $161,185.
Wednesday’s card at The Meadows features an $80,000 PA Stallion Series stake for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers. First post is 1 p.m.
(The Meadows)