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Two $49,875 divisions of the W.M. Reynolds Memorial Tar Heel for pacing colts and geldings.
In the first division more records were set, and by two horses as Howlenthehills (American Ideal-Arielle Lynn) and Solid Character (Sweet Lou-Riley Character) finished in a dead-heat for the win.
Solid Character (Yannick Gingras) took the first lead but Howlenthehills (Matt Kakaley) brushed up from second to grab the front in a quick :26.4. With Armada Hanover (Matty Athearn) tracking the leaders from third, Howlenthehills got to the half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:22.4 unchallenged. After they came off the last turn, Howlenthehills had opened up a two length advantage and was looking like a winner. But Gingras tipped Solid Character and asked for more and Solid Character delivered, as he flew down the lane and caught Howlenthehills in the shadow of the wire as they both crossed at the same time in 1:50.3.
The time was a new track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings and also a new stake record for the Tar Heel at Plainridge Park.
It was the 13th win of the year for Howlenthehills ($2.10) who is owned by Symmetry Stable and trained by Travis Alexander and also the fifth win of the year for Solid Character ($2.10) who is owned by Burke Racing, Robert Jackson, Timothy Sullivan and Tom Wilson and trained by Ron Burke.
Howlenthehills was bred by Crawford Farms and Solid Character was bred by Winterwood Farm.
In the second split, the pair of records just set by the first group would go down hard as Sweet Beach Life went the mile of his career in an easy victory.
Matt Kakaley wasted no time getting Sweet Beach Life to the front and dominated once he crossed over. After setting fast and unchallenged fractions of :26.3, :54.4 and 1:22.3, Sweet Beach Life swelled up at the top of the lane and bolted home under Kakaley wraps by 5-¼ lengths in 1:49.3.
The time was a new lifetime mark for the winner, set a new track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings and also set a new stake record for the Tar Heel at Plainridge Park.
It was the sixth win of the year for Sweet Beach Life ($2.20) who is owned by A Sweet Beach Life Stable and trained by Travis Alexander.
Sergeant Stables bred Sweet Beach Life.
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In the $41,100 Tar Heel for colts and geldings, PJ Lou (George Brennan) took the lead away from JD (Tyler Buter) going to the 27.2 opening quarter and maintained the lead through middle-half fractions of 55.4 and 1:23.4. A 29.2 final quarter got PJ Lou to the wire a length and a quarter ahead of JD in a 1:53.1 mile, but the judges quickly lit the inquiry sign to examine if PJ Lou had committed a pylon violation approaching the half-mile marker.
After consulting the video, the judges determined that PJ Lou had completely left the course as he raced under the wire for the first time, and as a result, he was placed from first to last. That promoted JD to the victory, Pleaseletmeknow (Matt Kakaley) to second, and Letmecallyouback (Austin Siegelman) to third.
Last year's New York Sire Stakes champion for the division, JD is a So Surreal gelding trained by Ray Schnittker. Schnittker also co-owns JD, who now has a record of 4-1-3 from 12 starts and earnings of $168,866, with breeder George Zitone and their partner Melissa Beckwith. JD, making his first pari-mutuel appearance of 2022, was sent off at 6-1 and paid $15.60 to win. The exacta was worth $77.50 and the trifecta kicked back $277.00.
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American Courage, who started his career seven-for-seven before an out-of-character seventh-place finish in the New York Sire Stakes final last September, began his 3-year-old campaign in style with an authoritative 1:52 victory in one of four W.N. Reynolds Memorial divisions for sophomore pacers of both sexes that took place on Friday night (May 7) at Yonkers Raceway.
Driven by Matt Kakaley in the $23,750 event, American Courage gunned out from post six and was able to clear 1-5 choice I’ll Drink To That (Dexter Dunn) before the :27.1 opening quarter. American Courage remained the boss through the :56.1 half and the 1:24.3 three-quarters, then paced home in 27.2 to defeat I’ll Drink To That by a 1-3/4 lengths. Shakespeare (Todd McCarthy) followed along in third throughout and ended up finishing in that spot.
The victorious American Ideal colt is trained by Travis Alexander for owner/breeder Fiddler’s Creek Stables LLC. American Courage has put away $192,133 in his eight wins, half of which have come at Yonkers, and he returned $9.40 to win as a 7-2 shot. The exacta was $16.80, and the trifecta paid $34.80.
In the other $23,250 split for the colts and geldings, Coalition Hanover (Kakaley) made the front from post five and had command through fractions of :28, :56.3, and 1:24.4, but 1-5 favorite Whichwaytothebeach (McCarthy), who bided his time in the third position, wore the pace-setter down from first-up on the final turn and then pulled away to prevail by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:53. Coalition Hanover held second over He’s A Snob (Mark MacDonald).
A Somebeachsomewhere gelding, Whichwaytothebeach is trained by Brett Pelling for owners Alan Johnston and John Craig. Whichwaytothebeach now has a record of 6-2-2 from 10 starts, and he pushed his earnings to $135,733. Whichwaytothebeach paid $2.40 to win and led a $4.20 exacta and a $12.80 trifecta.Item description
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Magic Punk worked out a perfect pocket trip behind 9-5 favorite Diabolic Hill and went by in deep stretch to record a 1-length victory in the second of two colt and gelding divisions of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadowlands Saturday night.
A colt by Wishing Stone-I D Entity No, Magic Punk scored in the $34,125 dash in a lifetime-best 1:51.4 for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ake Svanstedt while lifting his lifetime numbers to seven wins in 12 starts, good for earnings of just over $366,000. He paid $6.40 to win as the 2-1 second choice in the wagering.
It Could Be Worse took the $33,625 opening division for males by 1 length in a lifetime-best 1:50.3 for Tim Tetrick and Linda Toscano, going all the way on the point after taking over just after the quarter. The Captain Corey-Emiliciousboomboom colt rebuffed a stiff challenge from 1-5 favorite Nix Nacken, who rallied well from first-over after racing sixth down the backside, engaged the leader turning for home, but faltered late to third as Southwind Alamo rallied to get second.
Sent to the gate as the 6-1 second choice, It Could Be Worse returned $14.20 to win.
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There were four divisions of the W.N. Reynolds for 3-year-old trotters contested on the undercard, with two dashes for colts and geldings and two for fillies.
In the first split for males, which went for a purse of $34,825, Hambletonian hopeful Go Dog Go (Greenshoe-Primary Target) followed live cover on the way to a lifetime-best 1:52 score for driver Todd McCarthy and trainer Carter Pinske. The 1-5 favorite paid $2.60 to win.
Another horse with Hambo dreams, Gap Kronos S (Face Time Bourbon-I’m Really Special) took the lead at the half and went down the road from there in the other division for males for Yannick Gingras and Ake Svanstedt in a lifetime-best-equaling 1:51.4. As the 9-5 second choice, he returned $5.60 to his backers in the $34,325 dash.
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Karl and T C I entered their respective divisions of Saturday’s (June 29) W.N. Reynolds Memorial for 3-year-old male trotters at the Meadowlands ranked as the top two contenders for August’s $1 million Hambletonian Stakes, and both solidified their standing with victories.
Karl won the first $34,250 Reynolds division by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51, equaling his career-best time. Bright Star finished second and French Kronos was third.
Three races later, T C I overcame rain and wind in his $34,750 division to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:53.1 over a track labeled good. Tony Adams S finished second and Caballero was third.
Both winners were sent off as 1-9 favorites.
In the opening division, Bright Star led the field to the opening quarter in :27.3 before driver Yannick Gingras put Karl, ranked No. 1 in Meadowlands announcer and analyst Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian, in motion from third and took the lead in a :56.1 half. Nothing changed from there, with Karl hitting three quarters in 1:24.2 and stepping home in :26.3 to victory.
“I just let people settle (on the first turn),” Gingras said. “When you’re 1-9, just trying to keep him out of trouble, not have someone make a break in front of him, then march my way to the front and go from there.”
Undefeated in four races this season, Karl has won 13 of 14 career starts and earned $1.20 million for trainer Nancy Takter. He has captured eight in a row since his lone setback, which came by a nose against T C I, last October.
Karl, a 2023 Dan Patch Award winner, is owned by Christina and Nancy Takter, Black Horse Racing, Crawford Farms Racing, and Bender Sweden Inc. The son of Tactical Landing-Avalicious was bred by Crawford Farms.
In the second division, Ron Burke-trained T C I, the No. 2-ranked horse in the Road to the Hambletonian, methodically worked his way to the front with driver David Miller in a :57.2 half and remained in control, reaching three quarters in 1:26 and coming home in :27.1.
“Our plan was to trip him out, get him in a hole, but it really wasn’t developing around the first turn,” Miller said. “Everybody was just kind of floating out of there. There was one little hole in the first turn, but it closed up quickly, so I had to go on. But I thought he raced well. He finished up strong.”
Unbeaten in three races this year, T C I has won 13 of 15 career starts and earned $1.32 million. A 2023 O’Brien Award recipient, T C I is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services Inc., and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The son of Cantab Hall-Nicole’s Promise was bred by Concord Stud Farm.
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Trainer Lucas Wallin is looking to have a big day on the first Saturday in August, and if Friday night is a good indicator, he will.
Wallin trained three winners at The Meadowlands from four divisions of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial for 3-year-olds on the trot, which gave a look at possible Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks contenders.
The first of Wallin’s hat trick came with Rebuff, the Breeders Crown champion from a year ago, who gunned down 2-5 favorite (and Goodtimes winner) Fast As The Wind by three-quarters-of-a-length in a lifetime-best 1:51.3 in the first of two splits for colts and geldings. The purse was $36,650. A marvelous performance given it was the son of Muscle Hill-Meucci Madness’ first start of the season.
“The trip worked out perfect,” said Wallin of the live cover journey right on the favorite’s back. “We actually wanted to stretch him out with the Hambletonian Eliminations coming up in four weeks. I was pretty confident he was going to do well. He has been training super. Rebuff is so good-gaited, he doesn’t need too many races to have a good performance.”
Rebuff, who was driven by Tim Tetrick, returned $9.80 as the 7-2 second choice in the betting.
B A Superhero (Muscle Hill-Win Missy B) gave Wallin – and Tetrick – a sweep of the two male divisions (this one for a purse of $37,150), grabbing the lead at the half and powering down the pike from there to best Classic Hill by 3¼ lengths in 1:51.2, lowering his previous mark by two-and-three-fifth seconds.
“In the [May 27] New Jersey Sire Stakes Final [when he finished fifth behind winner Pretender], we gambled a little and put a different bridle on him and he got a little too grabby,” said Wallin. “Then, we gave him a few weeks off. He did race well last week [when fifth with older foes], so I was really confident coming into tonight.”
B A Superhero returned $5.20 as the 8-5 second choice in the betting. Dover In Motion, the 6-5 favorite, broke before the half and finished last.
Reflecting on his big night, Wallin was sure to give credit where it’s due. “It’s a nice feeling [when you have nights like this]. We have a very good team in the barn, so I’m very happy. Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
Or the Hambletonian, or Hambletonian Oaks.
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A pair of big-time Hambletonian contenders – Dancinginthedark M and Venerate – bounced back from poor performances when they made breaks with impressive victories Saturday night in the W.N. Reynolds Memorial for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings at The Meadowlands Saturday night.
Dancinginthedark M ($3.20 as the 3-5 favorite) was moved to the front of the line in his $42,550 split by driver Tim Tetrick before the half and held sway from there as heavy rains fell to record a 1¼-length victory over Take All Comers in a lifetime-best 1:51.4. The Marcus Melander trainee is a son of Readly Express-Leila and is now six-for-11 lifetime.
Venerate (Love You-Peaceful Kemp) had to overcome post nine and a brutal parked-out trip to get his mojo back in the other $43,050 division for males. The winter-book Hambletonian favorite floated away from the gate from post nine and was handled with care by driver Andy Miller around the first turn. Racing first-over he steadily advanced on leader Sonofamistery, the even-money public choice, down the backstretch but lost a little ground off the far turn into the stretch.
After they straightened up for the wire, Venerate began a steady gain once again and kicked into another gear at the sixteenth pole. Nearing the wire, Sonofamistery went off stride, but it likely would not have mattered, as the Julie Miller-trained Venerate ($8.80 as the third betting choice) scored by a half-length in 1:52.1 after a mile that saw him never see the rail. After a brief judges’ inquiry, no action was taken against second-place finisher Sonofamistery.
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The W.N. Reynolds Memorial divisions for 3-year-old male trotters were won by Jula Trix Treasure and Back Of The Neck, both from the stable of trainer Ake Svanstedt. Jula Trix Treasure, driven by Gingras, won in 1:51.2, with Beads second and EL Ideal third. Back Of The Neck, with Scott Zeron in the sulky, won in 1:52 with Play Trix On Me second and Maesteraemon third.Item description
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Pennsylvania champion Papi’s Rocket converted a pocket trip to a sharp 1:50.4 victory in Friday’s Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Wedlock Blue Chip captured the other division of the $82,700 stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers.
Papi’s Rocket let Dreamboat Hanover do the dirty work up front before overtaking him in mid-stretch. But winning driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. indicated at that point, Dreamboat Hanover wasn’t his principal concern.
“I was a little nervous leaving the two hole early because I thought I might be giving a shot to Railroad Station in the passing lane,” Wrenn said. “But I thought it was my time to move. He’s not real big, but he gives 100 percent every time.”
The son of Papi Rob Hanover-Real Touch remained in charge, downing Railroad Station by 1/2 length, with Steamboat Springs a rallying third. Ron Burke trains Papi’s Rocket, who vaulted over $200,000 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Knox Services and Slaughter Racing Stable. Burke sent out eight of Friday’s 16 Keystone Classic starters.
Wedlock Blue Chip had only a qualifier in the past month, but he came back ready, moving crisply first over and drawing off to a 3-1/4-length triumph in 1:53.1. Snack Attack and Lou’s Albano finished second and third, respectively. Roland “Poly” Mallar conditions the son of Bettor’s Wish-Heavenly Bride for Richard Cortese and Don Hawk.
“I think Poly wanted to get a race in him but couldn’t find one for him,” said winning driver Troy Beyer. “But his fitness wasn’t a big concern. Poly always has his horses strong.”
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Texas Town and driver Wally Hennessey went from last-to-first to capture the $56,500 Reynolds Memorial for 2-year-old colts and geldings. The son of Huntsville-Tell The Truth scored the mile in a career best of 1:54.4 for owners Jerry Hoffman and trainer David Byer. It was his second career victory. To The Hunt (driven by Mark MacDonald) was second and Boston Bound (Marcus Miller) finished third.
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Frank Leahy outkicked track record-holder Cheers Hanover in the lane to triumph in Wednesday’s Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Arrowhead Hanover captured the other division of the $77,900 stake for freshman colt and gelding trotters.
On Aug. 2, Cheers Hanover trotted in 1:54 for Hunter Myers, fastest mile ever by a freshman colt trotter. Ironically, in the Keystone Classic, it was Myers trying to pilot Frank Leahy around Myers’ erstwhile partner. Frank Leahy sat an unused third before taking up the attack entering the final turn, so Myers knew the son of Southwind Frank-Regal Woman was fresh.
“Once I saw that the quarter and half were a little soft, I thought it might be tough to catch him. But I got to sit as long as I wanted to. I got to take care of my horse before I had to use him,” Myers said of Frank Leahy, who entered Wednesday’s contest with a single victory on his card — that in an overnight.
Frank Leahy defeated Cheers Hanover by 1/2 length in 1:55.4, with Dignified Wheat third. Ron Burke trains Frank Leahy for Ben Mondello and Fac Racing LLC
In the other division, Arrowhead Hanover won under wraps in 1:55.2 for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., trainer Tim Twaddle and owner TheStable Arrowheadhanover Group. With the victory, the International Moni-Aarena Hanover gelding soared over $100,000 in career earnings.
Messenger Hanover was second, beaten a length, with The Fix Is In third.
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The Gruffalo (Jeff Gregory) won the $31,650 first division for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings in 1:57 over Met Your Request (Marcus Miller) and Bumpy Jack (Aaron Byron) was third. The son of Chapter Seven-Clementine Dream, owned by Racing Team Of America, Deena Frost, Emma Petterson and trainer Mark Harder paid $3.60 in his fifth win of the season.
You Got It (Tyler Buter) upset in the $31,650 second division for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings in a lifetime best 1:57.3 over Unique Style (Mark MacDonald) and Night Star (Marcus Miller), paying $21.00 to win. The son of Chapter Seven-Tweet Me won for the first time this season for owner Allstar Stables LLC and trainer Noel Daley.
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Captain Corey remained unbeaten in five lifetime starts by taking the $61,500 W.N. Reynolds Memorial Judge Moore division for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the trot and paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favorite.
The Ake Svanstedt trained and driven colt, a product of Googoo Gaagaa-Luv U All, never had an anxious moment, drubbing three overmatched foes by leading at every call before hitting the wire 3-3/4 lengths in front of second-place finisher Royson’s Punch in 1:54.1. Lindysmusclemania was third.
Captain Corey, the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion, now has earnings of $298,388 and is being pointed to the Oct. 30 Breeders Crown at Hoosier Park.Item descriptionItem description
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$62,150 W.N. Reynolds Memorial Leta Long for 3-year-old pacing fillies where Ponynamedwildfire (Huntsville-Wordly Treasure) went the mile of her life in stake record time.
Bruce Ranger flew off the wings with Ponynamedwildfire and set a quick quarter pace of :26 flat. But that wasn’t fast enough for Leanne’s Choice (Marcus Miller) who pulled from second to take the lead before the :53.4 half. There was no rest for the leader as So Well Dressed (David Miller) was on the attack and took the lead on the backstretch. But as soon as she cleared, Chiapanecas (Yannick Gingras) was at her bridle pressing hard in 1:21.1 and Ponynamedwildfire was right in her back. When the race entered the stretch, the battling front-runners were collectively tiring and Ranger had a fresh horse and tipped Ponynamedwildfire three-deep and paced home the best by 1-½ lengths in 1:51.
The clocking was a new lifetime mark for the winner and also set a new stake record for the Leta Long at Plainridge Park.
It was the sixth win of the year for Ponynamedwildfire ($8.20) who is owned and bred by Steve Jones and trained by Ray Schnittker.
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There wasn't nearly the same drama in the $34,400 Leta Long for fillies, as American Ticket (Jim Marohn Jr.) clicked off panels of 28.1, 57.1, and 1:25.3 on her way to a 1:53.4 triumph. She defeated pocket-sitter Nadina Hanover (Brennan) by a length, and Find Happiness (Jordan Stratton) came in third.
Jessica Fallon trains American Ticket, a daughter of American Ideal bred by Winbak Farm, for owners Hutt Racing Stable, Blake And Ozzie Stables, James Giannuzzi, and Robert MacNeil. American Ticket is now a three-time winner from 11 career efforts, and she pushed her bankroll to $68,320. Dispatched at 7-2, American Ticket returned $9.10 to win and was atop a $36.00 exacta and a $101.50 trifecta.
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As far as the fillies, in the first of their flights, worth $28,500, went to 1-5 choice Heart Of Mine (Scott Zeron) in 1:55. The runner-up in the New York Sire Stakes final a year ago, Heart Of Mine lined up her foes in post position order and then stepped off panels of :28.2, :58.1, and 1:26.4 on her way to a two-length decision. Pocket-sitter Shania Blue Chip (McCarthy) was next, followed by Natchez Belle (Tyler Buter).
Linda Toscano trains Heart Of Mine, a daughter of Roll With Joe, for owners The Bay’s Stable LLC., Radio Racing Stable, Fred Wallace, and Camelot Stable Inc. Heart Of Mine is now a three-time winner from 13 efforts, and she has pocketed $152,655. She returned $2.50 to win and was atop a $16.20 exacta and a $45 trifecta.
Easy To Please (Jordan Stratton) trailed through stations of :27.2, :56.4, and 1:25.2 in the second $29,000 tilt for the ladies, but she went widest from fourth-over on the final bend and then powered home strongly to get up in time to prevail by a neck in a 1:55.1 mile. Carrington (MacDonald) was the runner-up from second-over, and DC Batgirl (George Brennan), who wore down leader Podium Girl (Dunn) from first-over through the stretch, got third.
Trainer Michael Hall also co-owns Easy To Please, another Roll With Joe filly, with partners Our Three Sons Stable LLC., Brad Grant, and Howard Taylor. Easy To Please has five victories from 11 lifetime appearances, and she has now banked $64,150. Easy To Please paid $38 to win, the exacta kicked back $172, and the trifecta was worth $628.Item description
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Nezuko Kamado S (Chapter Seven-Zefira Kronos IT) won the $33,225 first division for fillies in a lifetime-best 1:52.1 for Scott Zeron and Marcus Melander, holding off Jailbird Jog by a big nose. The 6-5 favorite returned $4.40.
Custom (Walner-Goldy Mary FR) took the $33,725 second female split surging late after picking up a live second-over trip for Jason Bartlett and Per Engblom. She returned $3.80 as the 4-5 favorite after winning for the sixth time from just 13 lifetime tries.
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Yo Tillie (Tactical Landing-Consolidator) used an explosive move to three-quarters to win the first division for fillies – which went for $33,375 – by eight lengths in a lifetime-best 1:51 for Todd McCarthy and Andrew Harris. The 2-5 public choice paid $2.80.
In the $32,875 second split for fillies, New Jersey Sire Stakes champion and Hambletonian Oaks eligible Conversano (Muscle Hill-Celebrity Ruth) grabbed the lead at the half and held sway to the wire in 1:52.1 for Andy McCarthy and Juan Cano. As the 8-5 second choice, she paid $5.40.
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Sunkist Beauty won the first of the three $25,667 divisions for the sophomore female trotters by three lengths in a career-best 1:52.2 for driver-trainer Åke Svanstedt. St Pauli Girl finished second and Dolce Amara was third.
Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Sunkist Beauty was third for the first half of the mile before moving for the front on the final turn and overtaking leader Cheval Rapide at the top of the stretch to win her seasonal debut. Sunkist Beauty, a daughter of Six Pack-Orange Bigi, is owned by Åke Svanstedt Inc. and Stall Kalmar Inc. She was bred by Kiefer Elite Bloodstock and Martin Michalik. She has won three of six career races and earned $110,583.
In the second division, 6-5 favorite Elista Hanover grabbed the lead after the opening quarter and never relinquished it as she extended her win streak to eight with a 3-1/2-length victory in 1:52.3. Spy Coast finished second and Slip Sliding Away was third. Returning Dan Patch Award-winner Soiree Hanover finished fourth in her seasonal debut.
David Miller drove Elista Hanover for trainer Annie Stoebe, who co-owns the filly with Lynn and Philomena Curry. The daughter of International Moni-Evermore was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms. She has won eight of nine races this year and nine of 18 lifetime, earning $175,958.
The third division went to Buy A Round by 3-3/4 lengths in a career-best 1:53.2 on a track labeled sloppy. Honey’s Sweet finished second and Only One Cosmo was third.
Buy A Round, the 6-5 second choice, was driven by Andy McCarthy for trainer Noel Daley. The daughter of Walner-On Your Tab is owned by breeder Frederick Hertrich III. She has won two of three races this season and eight of 12 in her career, earning $390,933.
All three filly winners are eligible to August’s $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands.
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Manon was Wallin’s next winner, getting up in a driving finish to dead heat with 7-5 public choice Raised By Lindy in a lifetime-best 1:51.1 in one of two divisions of the Reynolds for fillies for a purse of $35,600.
The daughter of Bar Hopping-Are You Ready, who raced only once at 2, is now five-for-five in her sophomore season.
“She’s been super this year,” said Wallin. “This was her first big test. She got a little sore last year, so we decided to turn her out and bring her back this year. We have a patient owner, so it worked out. I think tonight she showed she belongs [in the Hambletonian Oaks]. That’s the main goal.”
Manon returned $3.00 to win after being bet down as the 5-2 second choice. Once again, it was Tetrick at the controls. Raised By Lindy (Walner-Birthright), driven by Yannick Gingras and trained by Domenico Cecere, paid $2.60, as she, too, established a new lifetime best.Item description
In the only Reynolds dash not won by Wallin, the Ake Svanstedt trained and driven Baptism (Southwind Frank-Fall From Grace) scored from off the pace at odds of 8-1 in a lifetime-best 1:51.3 in the other division for fillies for a purse of $35,600, taking down New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Fashion Schooner, who settled for second as the 1-5 favorite. Had Fashion Schooner won, Tetrick would have gone four-for-four in the Reynolds.
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New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Beltassima ($6.40 as the 2-1 second choice) won the first of two splits for 3-year-old trotting fillies as the daughter of Trixton-Beltane Hanover gunned down Lady Chaos by three-quarters-of-a-length in the $49,050 dash in a lifetime-best 1:52.3 for driver Andy McCarthy and trainer Tony Alagna.
Piper Hanover ($4.80 as the 7-5 favorite) rallied from off the pace to score by 1¾ lengths over Darlene Hanover in 1:53 in the other division for fillies, this one for a purse of $49,550. The Father Patrick-Personal Style miss made it four wins in five seasonal starts for the team of McCarthy and Alagna.
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The only Reynolds event for 3-year-old female trotters was won by Takter-trained and Gingras-driven Sorella in 1:50.2, the fastest mile of the season by a 3-year-old trotter. Panem was second followed by returning Dan Patch Award winner Ramona Hill in her 2020 debut.
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Always Ana Hanover overwhelmed the leader, even money favorite Pilar Hanover, with a powerful, uncovered backside move and rolled home in a stake-record 1:51.1 in Thursday’s Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows. Royally Hot sprang a 12-1 upset in the other division of the stake for freshman filly pacers.
Always Ana Hanover was fourth when Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. sent her after Pilar Hanover, who offered resistance but succumbed in the stretch. The rallying Earth Angel was second, 1/2 length back, while 56-1 bomb Lyons Anitasangel earned show. The time is a career best for Always Ana Hanover and erased the previous stake mark of 1:51.3 Caviart Cherie established in 2016.
“They went pretty good to the half, but it’s always tough to come first over here and last,” Wrenn said. “That was probably her best race of the year.”
Ron Burke trains the daughter of Always B Miki-Ana Hanover for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, William Switala and James Martin.
Royally Hot had won just once — and that in an overnight — but trainer Jim King, Jr. considered the Keystone Classic a good spot for her.
“She’s been competitive right along,” King said. “She’s a little healthier right now than she’s been. She hasn’t really had her feelings hurt all year, which makes a difference at the end of the year.”
Owner/breeder/driver Tim Tetrick moved the daughter of Bettor’s Wish-McSauna from third past the three-quarters. She zipped by the leader, 1-9 favorite Beach Rules, and scored in 1:51.4, a new life mark. Blessed Hanover was second, beaten 1-3/4 lengths, while Lyons Benz completed the ticket at 61-1.
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Rock My Socks (Mike Merton) got her first career win in the $37,900 second division for 2-year-old pacing fillies in 1:53.2 over At The Hop (Jeff Gregory) and American Wisdom (Marcus Miller). The Boston Red Rocks-Kattimon filly is owned by Rick Berks and trained by Jake Leamon. She paid $4.60 for the victory.
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$63,350 Keystone Classic —2-Year Old Filly Trotters
Princess Jackie and Seal The Deal AS figured to be best in their split of Wednesday’s co-feature. Jim Marohn, Jr. aboard Princess Jackie knew it, so he gave the cold shoulder to Wrenn and Seal The Deal AS when they tried to wrest away the lead at the quarter.
“I wanted to put her on the lead,” Marohn said. “It’s been awhile since she’s been there, and she likes racing there. I was in a good spot to do it. When I called on her in the last turn, she scooted right off as if it were her first start of the year.”
That decision proved wise as Princess Jackie jogged away from her rival late and downed her by 2 lengths in 1:56.2. Can It Be Magic completed the ticket. The daughter of Greenshoe-Frisky Magic boosted her lifetime bankroll to $180,014 for owner/trainer D.R. Ackerman, who named the filly for his granddaughter. Ackerman indicated Princess Jackie would be pointed to the Breeders Crown.
Blueberry continued her fine season in the other division with a front-end score in 1:56.1, matching her career-best and giving her earnings of $130,793. Payback Moni was 3-3/4 lengths back in second, with Tally The Tab third.
“She was a perfect=gaited horse from Day 1, an absolute sweetheart,” said Doug Snyder, who trains the homebred daughter of Father Patrick-Perfect Image for Geraldine Poerio. “She’s from a good female family, so she has a right to be a good horse.”
He said Blueberry will race once more this year, in the Liberty Bell, but has a more extensive stakes schedule next season.
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Sparkling Tile S (Åke Svanstedt) charged late to capture the $36,000 second division for 2-year-old trotting fillies in 1:58.1, defeating Heaven Hanover (Wally Hennessey) and Read The Book. The daughter of Face Time Bourbon-Riveting Rosie is owned by Jordan Sparredal and trained by Svanstedt, and she paid a whopping $31.80 for the victory.
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In a non-betting event before the regular card, Insta Glam (Father Patrick-Hollywood Hill) won the $55,600 Reynolds Meda division for juvenile trotting fillies. The Nancy Takter-trained, Dexter Dunn-driven miss raised her lifetime record to five wins from 10 starts, good for earnings of $242,950.Item descriptionItem description