Sand E Fiftyfive, who has chased home some of her division's top fillies this year, grabbed the spotlight Friday at The Meadows when she captured a division of the $122,999 Keystone Classic for two-year-old pacers.
The stake was contested over three divisions, with Up Front Noel and Cams Van Go taking the other splits.
Sand E Fiftyfive was a creditable second to Pedigree Snob in the Standardbred at the Delaware County Fair, a respectable third to Ginger And Fred and Pedigree Snob in the PASS championship at Harrah's Chester. But she has been forced to pursue those rivals from well back because of uncontrollable early speed.
"She gets to stepping around sometimes when you try to leave with her," said Tye Loy, who trains the $9,000 yearling acquisition for Bill Sanders. "That's something I have to try to work on this winter."
In the Keystone Classic, she was disciplined enough, leaving for position before tackling the leader, Singnoevil Hanover, with an uncovered backside brush. Sand E Fiftyfive wore down Singnoevil Hanover, downing her by 3/4 lengths in 1:55. Native Flower closed for third.
The daughter of I Am A Fool-Scootin Mercedes pushed her bankroll beyond $103,000, a total that might not change this year.
"She's eligible for the Breeders Crown, but I think she's about had enough," Loy said. "She's starting to show some wear and tear."
Up Front Noel, a three-race maiden entering the Keystone Classic, worked out a cozy pocket trip and edged past Surveille Hanover late to score by a nose in 1:56.4. Walk Softly was well back in third.
"I was shooting for the front, but she can do it both ways," said winning driver Andrew McCarthy. "She's turned into a nice little racehorse. She's a bit of a slow learner, but she's come together now."
Brendan Johnson trains Up Front Noel, a daughter of Dragon Again-I Scene It All, for C. Ed Mullinax.
Cams Van Go had won only overnight events, but Randy Tharps was determined to cut the mile with her, retaking with a quarter-pole move that gave the filly a lead she never relinquished. She prevailed in 1:56.3, 2-1/2 lengths ahead of Tidewater Misty, with Save My Shark third.
"She was good last time on the front, and I figured I could get there today if I got easy fractions," said Tharps, who drove four winners on the 17-race card. "She's had some really bad post positions before today."
Marty Wollam trains the homebred daughter of Real Artist-Cams Valentine for the partnership of Arold, Kohut and Drury.
In the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Pace, Tidewaterdragonfly edged closer to $1 million in career earnings when she used an impressive first-over move to score in 1:52.2, a head better than Spring Break. Vysoke Tatry finished third.
Brett Miller drove for trainer Kelly O'Donnell and owners David Beachler and Annefuria Singleton. The four-year-old daughter of Dragon Again-Happy Jinny has banked $951,397.
(The Meadows)