Trillions Hanover continued her red-hot ways Monday at The Meadows, capturing her third straight — all stakes — in a division of the $59,300 Keystone Classic. Sweet Cherry took the other split in the event for three-year-old filly pacers.
Trillions Hanover entered the Keystone Classic off impressive victories in the Lady Maud and a Pennsylvania Sires Stake leg but appeared to be idling outside after leaving from post 7. According to winning driver David Miller, that was all according to plan.
“I was waiting until the dust settled,” Miller said. “When she got half in 56, I was pretty confident she could get home from there. She’s always been pretty good. She’s tried racing against the ‘Group 1’ fillies. She could compete with them, but she never could beat them. But she’s been pretty steady all year.”
The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Tulu Hanover reached the point near the three-eighths and easily thwarted the Lightning Lane challenge of the pocket-sitting Rockn Philly, downing her by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51.3. Alii Nui finished third.
Tom Fanning trains Trillions Hanover, who now boasts $231,805 in career earnings, for VIP Internet Stable, Falcon Racing and Paul Lang.
Sweet Cherry achieved the lead with a quick first-over blitz, then dug in late to hold off Skater Chick by a length in a career-best 1:51.1, with Philly Hanover third. Tim Tetrick, who drove and co-owns the daughter of Sweet Lou-Cherry Tree Coco with Jo Ann Looney- King, noted that she’s changed her style recently — with positive results.
“I thought after the third quarter when I had to use her so hard she’d fold up, but she held them off,” Tetrick said. “She never used to like the front end. We protected her and protected her. The last few times I’ve just been racing her and trying to wear them out. It’s been working for her.”
Jim King, Jr. conditions Sweet Cherry.
American Kronos and Magical Beliefs each won a split of the $65,500 Keystone Classic in Monday’s co-feature.
American Kronos prepped for the Keystone Classic with a pair of tests against tough mares at Pocono. She captured both, and winning driver Troy Beyer indicated that experience helped sharpen her.
“I tripped her out last week and kind of gave her an easy race coming into this,” Beyer said. “She was ready to go today, and I thought the front was the best place to be. Her win at Pocono last Sunday helped her confidence a little bit. She felt real brave on the front.”
In the Keystone Classic, the daughter of Donato Hanover-Glide About quarter-poled to the top and had little trouble defeating Firedbylindie by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.4, with Hanovers Best third.
Julie Miller trains American Kronos for Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld and David Goodrow. With their cheques, American Kronos and Firedbylindie each became a $100,000 performer.
Magical Beliefs powered off the cones in the stretch for Miller and roared past Jezzys Legacy to down her by a half-length margin in 1:55.2, matching her life mark. Fade Into You completed the ticket.
“With the passing lane, I wasn’t worried about finding room,” Miller said. “So I took my chances and sat in with her. She likes it like that, too.”
Linda Toscano conditions the daughter of Cantab Hall-Frisky Magic, who now has banked $284,457 for Highland Green Farms, South Mountain Stables and Randi Farms.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Tuesday, when the program features an $85,500 Keystone Classic for freshman filly trotters. On the wagering front, the card offers a $5,000 total-pool guarantee for the Pick 4 (races 3-6) and a $1,095.59 carryover in the Pick 5 (races 2-6). First post is 1:05 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)