by Tyler Stillings, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association photo of Hangover by Chris Gooden
Friday afternoon (May 16) racing at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows featured two divisions of the Meadow Bright PA Sires Stakes as well as three divisions of Stallion Series action for 3-year-old trotting fillies. The first PA Sires division saw the Ake Svanstedt trainee Hangover make her seasonal debut a winning effort for driver Dave Palone.
Princess Jackie and Jim Marohn Jr. forced the position issue early, forcing Palone to move the Southwind Frank filly back to the lead past the quarter. From there she would face a backside challenge from Ms Prada. Although the two would race head-to-head through the turn, Hangover would open back up in the stretch for a lifetime best victory of 1:54.3. “With Ake’s conditioning and training regimen, his horses can be driven confidently anytime,” Palone explained afterwards. Ake Svanstadt Inc., Joe Sbrocco & Jaf Racing, Little E, and Rivers Stable Inc. share ownership of the winner.
The local combination of Steve Schoeffel and Brady Brown teamed up to take the second division in 1:55.1 with Payback Moni. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and Blueberry were quick to the lead in an opening :27.3 while Brown and Payback Moni left alertly from post seven to secure the pocket. A moderate second quarter would set up for a big finish as Blueberry and Payback Moni would use every step of the stretch with Payback Moni a neck the best. Now three for three this year, Brown stated, “She’s been absolutely phenomenal training back from day one, she’s filled out nicely.” Kathy Schoeffel, Daniel Goehle, and James Reuther share ownership in the International Moni filly.
The Stallion Series started the way the Meadow Bright stake finished, with Brown and Schoeffel with a last step winner, Per Capita. Early movement set up Per Capita, at odds of 10-1, to get up in the final stride for the signature win of her young career. “She got rough twice in the last turn, and I had to tell myself to stop chasing her in the turn,“ Brown would confess following the race. The Father Patrick filly is owned by Kathy Schoeffel, King Family Stable, and Mary Owlett. “A nice surprise,“ is how Todd Schadel summed up the victory by Tally The Tab in the second division of Stallion Series action. Trainer, driver and part owner with Christine Schadel, Todd Schadel sat the pocket with the 9-1 shot and would grind down favorite Bay Breeze Hanover for the half-length victory in a lifetime best 1:55.3 over the sloppy going.
In the third and final Stallion Series leg, Willow Oak Racing’s Santa Cristina lived up to her heavy favorite status with a 3-1/4 length victory in 1:55.3. After Boom Chica Boom and Jeremy Indof hustled to the lead from post five, Palone moved the Julie Miller trained Bar Hopping filly back to the lead to stay and trotted off to her third win in 13 lifetime starts.
For the day, Aaron Merriman had three winners and trainer Schoeffel’s two stakes’ wins gave him the top honor.