Somewhere In L A, runner-up to Mcwicked in the 2014 Adios Pace for the Orchids Presented by Coors Light, made a successful return to The Meadows when he notched a facile victory in a division of Tuesday’s $83,400 Keystone Classic. National Debt’s victory in the other split gave Brett Miller a stake sweep.
In addition to his fine work in the Adios, Somewhere In L A finished third in the Little Brown Jug after tough trips in both heats. Miller indicated the colt’s demanding journeys helped shape his driving strategy for the Keystone Classic.
“In the Adios and the Jug, I ended up first over with him,” he said. “Today, I tried to give him the easiest trip possible, and he exploded.”
Away fourth, the Somebeachsomewhere-West Of L A gelding followed the first-over cover of Mattamerican, tipped three-wide entering the final turn and stormed home in 1:51.2 to defeat longshot Sean Liam Q. Early leader Allstar Partner was third.
Somewhere In L A extended his career bankroll to $466,703 for trainer Jimmy Takter and owners J And T Silva Stables LLC, Deo Volente Farms LLC and TLP Stable.
National Debt was much the best in his split, rolling to a front-end triumph in 1:51.4 despite bearing out late. Seventh Secret was 4-1/2 lengths back in second while Hemingway completed the ticket.
The son of Allamerican Native-Our Inheritance was making only his second stake appearance since the Meadowlands Pace, but Ron Coyne, Jr., who trains National Debt for Blair Corbeil, Erna Corbeil, Kelly Hoerdt and J And T Silva Stables LLC, said the colt’s schedule will intensify.
“He was off by himself and let his mind wander and started to drift a bit,” Coyne said. “We’ll make a couple adjustments and see if we can straighten him up. He has a full dance card for the fall; that’s why you saw him in some overnights. We needed some spots to keep him tight until his stakes.”
Tuesday’s program also featured two divisions of an $81,200 Keystone Classic for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters, with Way Outta Here and Frost Free Hanover collecting comfortable wins.
Hammered down to 1-5 following three consecutive wins in overnight races, Way Outta Here had little trouble extending his streak with a late brush for David Miller that carried him to victory in 1:54.4 over Dony Andreas and JJ Alex.
It was the first career stakes victory for the Broadway Hall-Im A Pearl gelding, who has been limited to 10 starts over two seasons by persistent gaiting problems.
“He’s been a bit of a project, but he’s finally got his act together,” David Miller said. “He’s coming around. He wouldn’t stay flat — ran all the time. We finally got him where he’s comfortable. He wasn’t really keeping up going to the half, so I couldn't move him. But he had plenty of trot when he got back out.”
Mark Harder conditions Way Outta Here for Blair Blanchet.
Ticketed for the Harrisburg sale, Frost Free Hanover presented his owners — trainer Leslie Zendt, Bill Zendt, Sig Wolkomir and Fred Kayne — a going-away present when he powered from the pocket before the three-quarters for Brian Zendt and strolled home in 1:55. Journey was second, 2-1/2 lengths in arrears, while Uva Hanover earned show.
The Cantab Hall-Free Spirit gelding raced just once at two but this year won eight of 15 starts and $128,418.
“I thought he was in pretty tough today,” said Leslie Zendt of this year’s Pennsylvania Stallion Series divisional champion. “I would have been happy with a second or third, but he stepped his game up. Brian used him three times, and he hung tough. He’s definitely been an overachiever all year.”
Brian Zendt drove four winners and Dan Rawlings three on the 16-race card.
(The Meadows)