Sammys Magic Girl produced some magic in deep stretch, getting up late to score in 1:54.4 — fastest division of a $270,095 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for two-year-old filly pacers Wednesday at The Meadows
.
Anadarko Hanover and Bordeaux Nourrir captured the other divisions of the event, known as the Meadow Cheer. Dave Palone fashioned a driving double in the stake with Anadarko Hanover and Bordeaux Nourrir.
Entering the stake off a disappointing sixth-place finish in a PASS leg at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Sammys Magic Girl left alertly for Brett Miller but had to wait patiently for room until the lane. The daughter of Western Hanover-LTs Magic drew even with All Heart Gal in the last few strides and shoved her nose in front to score in 1:54.4, a career best. Hokie Spirit was a rallying third.
The dueling leaders were so close that the judges reviewed the stretch drive for possible interference but did not disturb the order.
“We did lock wheels past the wire,” Miller said. “When we hit the wire, we were wheel to wheel. Honestly, I drove her absolutely horribly last week. I stirred her up for the first quarter, let a guy go and found myself locked in and shuffled. I’m glad things worked out tonight.”
Bill Popfinger trains Sammys Magic Girl and owns with George Muzea.
Anadarko Hanover broke stride in her two most recent races; she turned her maiden victory in the Meadow Cheer into yet another adventure, bearing out in the straightaways and threatening repeatedly to gallop.
“She has so much more talent than she’ll give you,” Palone said. “I nearly lost her three or four times — it was nip and tuck. She’s falling down the whole way. But believe me, she can go. I think she’ll make a good three-year-old.”
Such is the ability of the daughter of The Panderosa-Artaffection that she still prevailed on the lead in 1:55, one and a quarter lengths better than Sand Gesture, with Hokie Heart third. Steve Elliott trains Anadarko Hanover for Black Horse Racing.
Bordeaux Nourrir floated to the front as the 1-9 favourite, worked out comfortable fractions and won handily in 1:55.1. Say So was three-quarters of a length back in second, with Farouche Hanover third.
“She got a nice breather there, and she’s just a professional,” Palone said. “She drives like an aged horse. I’ve loved her from Day 1. She hasn’t gone a bad race since she started racing.”
Ron Burke trains the daughter of Western Hanover-Latte Lady, who has been no worse than third in all seven of her career starts, for George Leon Stables.
In the $27,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot, Hidden Viggorish proved once again that even post position No. 8 is no handicap for her, as she triumphed in 1:54.1 for her ninth victory in 20 2009 outings. Toms OK Lady was two lengths back in second, with Whybabywhy third.
Brian Zendt drove Hidden Viggorish, a six-year-old daughter of SJs Caviar-Tia Maria, for trainer Bill Zendt and Harmony Spring Stable.
(The Meadows)