Robin Cruiser seized the lead in a contested :26.4 first quarter and kept right on rolling, equalling the Meadows track record as she captured a division of Tuesday’s $117,200 Keystone Classic
. Frontierpan took the other split in the stake for freshman filly pacers. Dave Palone drove six winners — all for trainer Ron Burke — on the 16-race card.
Robin Cruiser acquitted herself well in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes championship at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, finishing fourth but beaten only a length. Although that was on Sept. 10, Robin Cruiser dispelled any fears that the layoff would hurt when she wrested the early lead from Sectionline Yankee and triumphed for Brian Zendt in 1:52. Southwind Johanne finished second, 3-1/4 lengths back, while Sectionline Yankee saved show.
The time matched Marty Party’s track record for two-year-old filly pacers, bettered the stake mark of 1:52.2 established last year by Strike An Attitude and sent Robin Cruiser soaring over $100,000 in lifetime earnings.
“She has such a fluid gait,” said Tim Pinske, who trains the homebred daughter of Yankee Cruiser-Sportstalk for Pinske Stables. “Those weren’t easy fractions today, but Brian said she just sprinted for home when she saw the straightaway. She’s eligible to the Three Diamonds, but I’m not sure if we’ll keep her racing that long or turn her out. I’ll definitely turn her out a couple weeks and see how she is.”
The 2-5 favourite, Frontierpan also cruised on the front for Palone, who wrapped up late on the daughter of No Pan Intended-Disneypan. She prevailed in 1:54.3, a neck better than Im Fondue Of You. Redtogreen Hanover completed the ticket.
“She’s had a good, solid year,“ Palone said. “When she gets in the right spot, she gets the job done. There may be a few in Pennsylvania that are better, but she gives you a good effort every week. There’s no reason for her not to come back good at three.”
Peter Pan Stables bred and owns Frontierpan, who also eclipsed $100,000 in career earnings.
In the $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace, Lucky Bettor had little trouble overcoming post 8, motoring right to the lead for Palone and trainer Ron Burke and scoring in a sharp 1:50.4. The first-over Valentowner raced well for second, a length in arrears, with Red Hot Scandal third.
The seven-year-old Bettors Delight-Horny Lucky gelding now boasts three straight victories and a career bankroll of $765,444 for Burke Racing Stable, JJK Stables and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Wednesday’s program at The Meadows features two divisions of a $98,800 Keystone Classic for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)