Dan Rawlings enjoyed the most productive day of his career Saturday, Sept. 29 at The Meadows, winning seven of the day’s 13 races including a Keystone Classic division with Scuola Hanover. E Dees Well Said took the other split of that $61,500 stake for three-year-old filly pacers.
Rawlings, a 37-year-old Maine native who’s been based at The Meadows since 2009, swept the early Daily Double and was on his way. He won at odds ranging from 3-5 to 14-1 and brought three home for trainer John Sullivan.
“When I looked at the program,” he said, “I thought I could win two races. I had horses that were competitive in competitive classes. Everything just worked out real well. Once the favorite ran. Once I got a good second-over trip. Another time, a horse that could have beaten me got buried. I made some good decisions and had a little luck. It happens.”
Rawlings had extra incentive, as his son David was in the paddock, celebrating his sixth birthday.
In the Keystone Classic, Rawlings sent Scuola Hanover to the front at the quarter, and the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance-So Artsi turned back the determined uncovered bid of Cult Icon and downed her by a length in a career-best 1:52. Dreams On Me was a close third in the passing lane.
“I didn’t pop the earplugs when she was challenged,” Rawlings said. “She heard the horse, pinned her ears and wanted to go on. I just let her do it.”
Andrew Stafford trains Scuola Hanover, who now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $192,531, and co-owns with Art Stafford and Thomas Ireland.
E Dees Well Said entered the Keystone Classic off a second-place finish in the Jugette at 62-1. She showed that was no fluke when she launched a first-over move that erased a five-and-a-half length deficit and carried her to victory for Jim Pantaleano in a lifetime-best 1:53. Ana Hanover was second, one-and-a-half lengths back with Aldine Hanover third.
“I haven’t changed anything on her,” said winning trainer Christen Pantaleano. “She’s had so many bad posts, and she’s been chasing horses for so long. I think the Jugette pushed her confidence over the edge.”
She said the daughter of Well Said-Eternitys Delight, who lifted her career earnings to $146,702 for C Jimmy D’s Racing, would be pointed to the Simpson.
In the $20,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, Vague Traces sprang an 11-1 upset despite racing outside most of the back half. The 6-year-old Always A Virgin-Village Junior gelding triumphed in 1:50.1 for Tony Hall and trainer Sarah Andrews and now has banked $328,416 for owner Michael Jurczykowski.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday, Oct. 1 when the card features a pair of rich pool guarantees — $12,500 for the Pick 5, $7,500 for the Pick 4 — as well as the Super Hi-5. First post is 1:05 PM.