By: Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
High temperatures were matched only by the high expectations for the 2-year-old pacing fillies competing in three $43,000 Sand Tart Sire Stakes divisions and three Stallion Series divisions Friday evening at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Three divisions of the $43,000 Sand Tart Sire Stakes were contested for 2-year-old pacing fillies, and trainer Ron Burke swept all three in impressive fashion. The sweep began with Miss Chevious.
Driven by Yannick Gingras, the daughter of Tall Dark Stranger raced patiently in fourth through the early stages before advancing heading to the five-eighths. There, Miss Chavious picked up cover from Schnapps Hanover through the final turn before unleashing a wrapped-up :27.4 final quarter to score in 1:52.2. The filly is owned and bred by W. Donovan, Craig Henderson, Joe Sbrocco, and Libby and Parnell.
A second-over trip and a powerful closing quarter were also the winning formula for My Taylors Swift and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. in the second Sand Tart division. Following an opening half in :57, Wrenn found cover for the daughter of Captaintreacherous and followed it through three-quarters in 1:25.4 before a determined :26.4 final quarter carried her to a 1:52.4 victory. My Taylor Swift is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Phillip Collura, and James Zito.
Chris Gooden Photo
Iwillalwayslouveu’s victory in the third Sand Tart division was never in doubt. Starting from post two, Ronnie Wrenn Jr. sent the homebred daughter of Sweet Lou to the lead and controlled the pace throughout. After reaching the half in :57.3, Iwillalwayslouveu finished with back-to-back :27.4 quarters to draw away by a wrapped length in 1:53.1. Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi share ownership of the 2-year-old filly.
Chris Gooden Photo
The fastest Stallion Series division of the evening was captured by Loyal To The End and driver Andrew McCarthy in 1:52.1. Trained by Noel Daley, the daughter of Captaintreacherous made an uncovered move down the backstretch to challenge the leader before sprinting home in :27.1 to win her division. Loyal To The End is owned by Let It Ride Stables Inc., Jesmeral Stable, Hutchison Stable LLC, and CT Stables LLC.
Aesta, whose name fittingly means “Summer Heat” in Latin, sat a comfortable pocket trip to avoid swift early fractions before taking command at the five-eighths and drawing away to a four-length victory in her Stallion Series division. Driven by Yannick Gingras for trainer Steve LeBlanc, Aesta paced the mile in 1:54.0 for owner Glen Dyke of Delaware.
Treacherous Taps and Dave Palone enjoyed the easiest journey of the Stallion Series divisions, winning in 1:54.3. Palone placed the Joe Bongiorno trainee on the lead from the outset, and the pair never looked back, finishing three lengths in front for owners Let It Ride Stables Inc., Jesmeral Stable, and CT Stables LLC.
For the evening, driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and trainer Ron Burke each recorded three victories, while sire Captaintreacherous produced three winning 2-year-olds.
Racing resumes Saturday, July 4, at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows with a 13-race program. First post is 12:45 p.m.