By: Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
A pair of $63,000 Meadow Cheer divisions, accompanied by three Stallion Series divisions, brought 2-year-old pacing fillies to a rain-soaked Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Thursday afternoon.
JK Lady Liberty added to her growing résumé with a near wire-to-wire effort in her Meadow Cheer division. Scott Zeron landed Captain Crunch a close-up third but was out and moving before the quarter. Once settled on the lead, the pair reached the half in 55.2 and three-quarters in 1:23.4. The final quarter saw JK Lady Liberty fend off Loyal To The End on her right and Positive Princess on her left, stopping the timer in 1:52. Trained by Nancy Takter for 3 Brothers Stable, it was the fourth win in a row and third Sire Stakes victory for JK Lady Liberty.
Chris Gooden Photo
Scott Zeron used the rail to perfection with Fauvette Hanover to score a 28-1 upset in the Meadow Cheer. Zeron placed the daughter of Papi Rob Hanover behind the two betting favorites through an opening quarter of 27.0. A middle half of 28.3 brought little movement, but that changed at the head of the stretch. Aestas popped the pocket and went after the leader, GOD Impact, on the right, leaving the passing lane for Fauvette Hanover. It would take the length of the stretch, but the Britney Dillion pupil nosed out Aestas for the 1:53 victory. William Hartt and Britney Dillion own the former $30,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase.
Chris Gooden Photo
All three Stallion Series division winners had one thing in common: Dave Palone.
Boardwalk Babe was the fastest division winner, using a quarter-pole move to the lead and cruising to a two-length victory in 1:52.1. The daughter of Sweet Lou is now three-for-three in Stallion Series action for trainer Joe Pavia Jr. and owners Double the Fun Stable.
Set It Up and Palone navigated a hectic opening quarter, but once on the lead, cruised to a 1:53.1 effort. Owned by Let It Ride Stables, South Mountain Stables and Richard Freese, the daughter of Heston Blue Chip is now two-for-two in Stallion Series competition for trainer Linda Toscano.
Odds On Wonderful had things all her own way in a three-length romp in her Stallion Series division. From post one, Palone was able to work out a comfortable 57.1 half, setting up a 27.3 final panel that sealed her maiden victory in 1:53.4. Virgil Morgan Jr. trains the daughter of Stay Hungry for owner Odds On Racing.
Dave Palone earned the day’s driving honors with four victories, while twelve different trainers scored wins. Racing resumes Friday, August 21, featuring the $129,491 Tyler B Colt Pace. First-race post time is 5:10 p.m.