Pecking for late racing room outside and inside, Cover Model finally found a seam and poured through to score in Tuesday’s $88,600 Keystone Classic at The Meadows. Alexa Said took the other division of the stake for two-year-old filly pacers.
Cover Model was sixth near the three-quarters when Dan Rawlings slipped her off the cones into the outside flow. When cover took him nowhere, Rawlings guided Cover Model back inside and hunted room, finding it between horses. The daughter of Dragon Again-Fashion Sureal rolled home to triumph in 1:53.4 over Special Package. Momas Got A Gun, a full sister to Little Brown Jug winner Limelight Beach, was third.
“I came out because I thought the outside flow was good, but it wasn’t going anywhere,” Rawlings said. “I basically took a shot (inside), and a seam opened up. I wasn’t planning on being buried like I was, but everything worked out.”
Douglas Lewis trains Cover Model for Frederick W. Hertrich III and CTC stable.
Alexa Said roared three wide through the lane to prevail for Eric Ledford in a career-best 1:55.3. Pennsylvania Stallion Series champion Half Past Seven was second by a length while early leader Mistup Magic earned show. It was the first stakes victory for Alexa Said although Tye Loy, who conditions the daughter of Well Said-Niki Blue Chip and owns with Michael Lowe, said she easily could have several more.
“She’s had bad luck and bad trips,” said Loy of his $18,000 yearling acquisition. “When you warm her up, you wouldn’t think she could go in 2:30 the way she’s lollygagging around. When she hits the gate, it’s all business; she puts her game face on.”
In the $18,000 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, Cowgirl Hall thwarted the challenge of Better Caviar and downed him by a length in 1:53.2. Major Athens saved show. Dave Palone drove for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jack Piatt III and Michael Rosenthal.
The five-year-old daughter of Cash Hall-Centerfold hall extended her career bankroll to $598,903.
Keystone Classics at The Meadows continue Wednesday with a $117,200 stake for freshman colt and gelding trotters. First post is 12:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)