WASHINGTON, PA, Aug. 1, 2015 — Promising 2-year-olds competed for more than $151,000 in a pair of Arden Downs stakes Saturday as part of the Adios Day card at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Here are the highlights:
$71,170 Governor Lawrence — 2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pacers
Ideal Jimmy, bet down to 3-5 despite making breaks in his previous two starts, stormed home in 54.3 from second over to catch Big Top Hanover and Whata Twist in 1:53.2 in the first division. The altered son of Western Ideal-Armbro Nectarine, who had recovered with sub-28 quarters after his recent pair of errors, continued that streak of late speed with a 27.4 kicker in winning for driver Marcus Miller, trainer Robin Cruise, and owner D. R. Van Witzenberger.
"They've been working hard on him — I think he had a little soundness thing," Miller said. "It got in his head, where he would look for a way out. He still threw in a couple steps, but he worked through it. I was happy to make it through the first turn."
Second-over tactics also proved successful for the Somebeachsomewhere-Mouse Hanover colt Mr Right Hanover, who scored his first victory in 1:54 after circling to the lead approaching the head of the stretch. Tim Tetrick handled sulky duties for trainer Brian Brown and owners James Stambaugh, Wingfield Brothers, Alan Keith and Milton Leeman.
1:53.3 may be only an "average" time for these baby colts, but 1:24/55.4/27.4 back numbers are impressive, and that's what the quarter-moving Check Six stormed home in to take his third win in five starts. Another Somebeachsomewhere out of the mare Southwind Vanna, Check Six followed up two straight sire stakes wins with this Grand Circuit triumph for driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke yet again, and Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, William Switala and James Martin.
$80,000 Mary Lib Miller — 2-Year-Old Filly Pacers
Yankee Moonshine inherited the lead when early leader Graceful Vision made a miscue, then threw back fractions of 55 – 27.2 in defeating Corona Again to take the first division in 1:53.4, a personal best. The daughter of Yankee Cruiser-Bootleg Yankee, bred by Hall of Fame nominee Charles Keller III, broke her maiden in style for Gingras, Burke and owners Burke Racing, JT45, Weaver Bruscemi and Lawrence Karr.
Another getting her first victory was the McArdle-Smokin Pistol filly Shesasmokinlady, who set the pace, then withstood a stern Lightning Lane challenge by Hug A Dragoness to earn a 1:53 triumph by a head. Tony Hall kept the baby game nearing the wire to bring success to trainer Kelly Paver and owner Iris Horowitz.
And as if Ron Burke weren't winning enough races, he almost found a way to get two wins in one race; his fillies Danika P and Eloquent Grace were separated by inches at the end of another division, with the Yankee Cruiser-Danika Hanover miss Danika P getting the nod in 1:56.1. The winner stepped home in 27.2 for driver Matt Kakaley and the Burke Racing / Weaver Bruscemi / M1 Stables combine.
Blue Moon Stride was in full stride during 55.3 – 27.2 back fractions in catching Lyons River Pride to capture the final Mary Lib division while taking a mark of 1:53. The daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Classic Star showed an impressive turn of late foot in running her record to 3 for 4 for driver Andy McCarthy, trainer Mark Harder and owners Emilio and Maria Rosati.
Evan Pattak
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino