Groom Hanover shrugged off challenges early and late to score in a stake record 1:56 – and earn a spot in the championship - in Tuesday’s $60,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event at The Meadows
. The stake for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters was conducted over three divisions, with Big And Little and Fountainbleau Volo taking the other splits.
Groom Hanover made an easy lead from the rail for Dave Palone but had to withstand the uncovered bid of Cadence Hall, who was game to the wire, and the Lightning Lane thrust of Walltocousins. The son of Cantab Hall-Givemearing was up to the task, holding off Walltocousins, with Cadence Hall third.
“I looked over and no one was really leaving,” Palone said. “I had a chance to get them lined up. He didn’t pick up the bit for me until they came right to his head. There was never a doubt in my mind that he would win.”
The time shattered the stake record of 1:57.3 established last year by Southwind Nitro. Fred Grant trains Groom Hanover for John Bach and Daniel MacIsaac. Entering the day, Groom Hanover was in ninth place — on the outside looking in — in the Stallion Series standings, but his 35-point haul Tuesday assures him a spot in the final. The Meadows will host all eight Stallion Series championships, each carrying a $40,000 purse, Sept. 12-13.
Big And Little already had secured his berth in the final, but the 1-2 favourite put on a show anyway, notching a facile front-end victory for Don Irvine, Jr. in 1:56.1. By Invitation Only rallied for second, 3-1/2 lengths back, while Georgian Diablo completed the ticket. Big And Little has lost only once since adding Lasix and is undefeated in three starts with hopples.
“I suppose Lasix was the more important change,” said Bill Zendt, who trains the son of SJs Caviar-Penn Peachi Lane for owner/breeder Gary Saul. “He probably doesn’t need the hopples, but he was making some breaks.”
Fountainbleau Volo, who missed his freshman season with an injury, has become a reliable three-year-old, in the money nine of 10 starts. He moved second over for Brett Miller and triumphed in a career-best 1:57.1, 1-1/2 lengths better than the pocket-sitting Ax Man. Early leader Ooga Booga saved show.
“He cracked a knee at two, and we had to give him time off,” said Anna Lorentzon, assistant to winning trainer Anette Lorentzon. “He’s actually a pretty nice horse as long as you race him from behind. He’s very green on the front, doesn’t know what to do. He won at Pocono on the front, but he’s better from behind.”
ACL Stuteri owns the SJs Caviar-Blue Water Fly gelding, who entered the race as the final Stallion Series championship prospective qualifier and wrapped up his spot in the final.
In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace, Palazzo Princess, who trailed by nine lengths early, rallied with a wide move to prevail by a head over Lorrie Please, with Tremor Hanover a closing third.
Eric Ledford drove for trainer Paul Kennedy and owner Paint Creek Farms. The daughter of Jate Lobell-Hawaiian Exotica now boasts $442,500 in lifetime earnings.
Palone drove five winners and Ledford three on the 15-race card. Wednesday’s program at The Meadows features the $199,412 Hickory Smoke, a Pennsylvania Sires Stake for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)