TWO-TIME PA CHAMP CAPTAIN COWGIRL OVERPOWERING IN KEYSTONE CLASSIC

By Evan Pattak For The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association

WASHINGTON, PA, Sept. 16, 2022  — On paper, it appeared that two-time Pennsylvania champion Captain Cowgirl had found a soft spot in Friday’s $50,550 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old filly pacers at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. On the track, that’s exactly the way it worked out, as Captain Cowgirl rolled to an in-hand 1:50.3 victory. Hood Party captured the other division just as easily.

Trainer Jim King, Jr. and owners Jo Ann Looney-King and Kenneth Frieder did not keep Captain Cowgirl eligible to any of the rich year-end stakes, so this was one of her last chances to shine at 3, although the connections do plan to race her next year. And shine she did. Even though it took her the opening three-eighths to reach the lead, Hunter Myers had a snug hold on the daughter of Captaintreacherous-Rideintothesunset for most of the back half.

“I let her go a little bit in the turns to try and get away from them,” Myers said. “But she did everything on her own. She was a Cadillac; I was just a passenger. She’s by far the best filly I’ve ever driven.”

Captain Cowgirl, who boosted her career bankroll to $554,675, defeated Galleria Hanover by 1-1/4 lengths, with Lydeo third.

Winning driver Dave Palone had a chance to tuck third early with Hood Party, but he chose to journey on for the lead.

“This is one where I had the advantage of racing against Hood Party last week,” Palone explained. “I fought this filly right to the last step and barely beat her. She was much better than the line looks. I thought if I could control the mile, that was my best chance to win.”

It was the winning decision, as the daughter of Betting Line-Robin Cruiser cruised home in a career-best 1:51.4 without a serious challenge. Captain’s Star finished second, beaten 3-1/2 lengths, while Somemiki Hanover completed the ticket. Nifty Norman trains Hood Party, who boasts lifetime earnings of $157,194, for owner/breeder Pinske Stables.