by Jim Berger, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Dancin Barefoot twirled up a storm in Saturday’s (July 31) $227,913 Adioo Volo stake for 3-year-old pacing fillies at The Meadows, taking the fastest division in a career-best 1:51.4.

Also taking splits in the stake, known as the Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo, were Farouche Hanover and Northwest Hanover. Yannick Gingras enjoyed a driving double behind Dancin Barefoot and Farouche Hanover.

Dancin Barefoot scored in 1:51.4 in the fastest Adioo Volo division.

Entering the Adioo Volo off a strong place finish in the Tarport Hap, Dancin Barefoot made a decisive quarter-pole move and had little trouble from there. The daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Wishforafullhouse scored by 1-1/2 lengths over Full Picture, with O Lucky Me third.

“The first couple times I drove her, I thought she was the best horse in the race, but we just couldn’t get it done,” Gingras said. “Today, it was a tough first quarter, but the second quarter was soft, and after that, she made it look easy.”

Jimmy Takter trains Dancin Barefoot for Louie Camara.

The lightly held Farouche Hanover, dismissed at 30-1, rushed to the lead from post eight, picked up valuable cover and had plenty left for the drive, taking her division in 1:53.3. Western Royalty was a half-length back in second, with I-Lady third.

Randy Bendis trains Farouche Hanover, a daughter of McArdle-Fatima, and owns with Frank Castelli and Reed Broadway.

Northwest Hanover dueled with Sand Gesture for much of the mile, swapping leads until Northwest Hanover proved stronger in the stretch. She outkicked her rival by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.4, with It’s De Lovely a rallying third.

Tim Tetrick drove the daughter of Western Hanover-Northern Sky for trainer Tim Pinske and owners Pinske Stables and John Carver.

$126,400 Arden Downs Stake, 2-year-old colt & gelding pacers

Saturday’s exciting Adios card also provided a showcase for some of harness racing’s finest young talent through this event known as the Gov. David L. Lawrence. Trainer George Teague, Jr. captured the Adios with Delmarvalous, and if the Gov. Lawrence is any indication, Teague will be loaded next year as well.

In the stake’s six splits, Teague won two with Wink N Atcha and One America, finished second three times and earned one show, a performance that included two exacta sweeps. Also capturing divisions were Mystic Desire, Twilight Artist, Something For Doc and Big Bad John. The hot Gingras fashioned a stakes double with Wink N Atcha and Twilight Artist.

Chris Gooden photos

Wink N Atcha was a 1:52.1 winner in his Arden Downs division.

Wink N Atcha was the most impressive winner, scoring wire-to-wire in a swift 1:52.1, only a tick off the track record for freshman colt and gelding pacers. He prevailed by two lengths over Reckless Ric, yet another Teague trainee, with King’s Masterpiece earning the show dough. George Teague, Jr. Inc., Ted Gewertz, Gustis Teague and Paisano Stable own the Dragon Again-Kiss My Lips colt, who now is undefeated in four career starts.

Roger Hammer, whose stable perennially is rich with promising freshmen, made his presence felt with Twilight Artist, a Real Artist-Anza Hanover colt he trains and owns with Vicki Fair. Twilight Artist was on the engine early for Gingras, scoring in 1:53.1 for his fourth victory in five career outings. Stress Test was second, 1-3/4 lengths in arrears, with Pangali third.

“When I drove him at Chester last week, he raced well, but today he was much better,” Gingras said. “You can tell it’s a Roger Hammer-trained horse. I think he’s going to be a strong horse for quite some time.”

Big Bad John didn’t perform acts of heroism in a caved-in coal mine, but he was sharp nevertheless, making the winning move for Brian Zendt at the half. He went on to score in a lifetime-fastest 1:53.3, with Expect Success three lengths back in second and Fancy Footwork third. Ron Potter trains the son of Western Hanover-Trulyawork Of Art for Winchester Baye Acres.

“I’ve driven him twice this year, and it seems like he never gets tired,” Zendt said. “We probably could have made a move to the front sooner, but I knew he would have a lot left down the stretch.”

It was Zendt’s 41st career stakes victory at The Meadows, moving him into a tie for 16th place all-time with Bill Zendt, his father.

Adios Consolation

Tobago Cays, a regally bred colt by a Horse of the Year (Rocknroll Hanover) out of a Horse of the Year (Bunny Lake), took this $50,000 event in a sparkling 1:50.1. Brian Sears drove for trainer Jeff Webster and owner Brian Nixon.