by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — Panagler was both lucky and good, as she avoided a stack-up caused by a breaking horse and went on to capture the fastest division of a $262,757 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for 3-year-old filly pacers on Friday (July 16) at The Meadows.

Dave Palone scored a driving sweep in the event, known as the Romola Hanover, as he piloted Panagler and the other divisional winners, Dancinwiththestarz and Odds On Moinet. In all, Palone drove seven winners on the 15-race card.

Panagler was a 1:52 winner, one of Dave Palone’s seven victories on the day.

Panagler’s split took an unexpected turn when It’s De Lovely, sitting in the pocket down the backside, ran up on the 7-5 favorite, Ruffle’s Kiss, and broke stride. Not only did Ruffle’s Kiss lose her action and falter, but the breaker also scattered the inside tier.

But Panagler, in her first start with Lasix, already was out, following the second-over move of A And Gs Princess.

“I was following the horse I thought I had to beat,” Palone said. “I really think she’s a top filly. She had some bad luck early in the season, but I think she can go with the best fillies when she’s on her game. She’s proven it.”

The daughter of No Pan Intended-Panipulator prevailed in 1:52, 1-3/4 lengths better than A And Gs Princess. It’s De Lovely rallied for show but was disqualified and placed last, with Sand Gesture promoted to third. Bob McIntosh trains Panagler for Peter Pan Stables.

Dancinwiththestarz, the 2009 PA Sires Stake divisional champion, won in 1:52.2 for her third PASS victory in four 2010 tries. World Fame was a half-length length back in second while Queen Me completed the trifecta.

But Mark Harder, who only recently welcomed the filly to his stable, wasn’t completely satisfied with what he saw.

“You’re obviously happy to win the race, but I thought she should have dominated that group a little bit,” Harder said. “She hasn’t been right, and I don’t think I have her right, either. She won, so we shouldn’t get real picky. She may be tying up or have bleeding issues. I don’t think she’s an unfit horse — her previous trainer did a helluva job. Just a couple little health issues to work on.”

W Springtime Racing Stable and Shannon Brott own Dancinwiththestarz, a daughter of Four Starzzz Shark-So Western who boasts a bankroll of $449,716 and 13 wins in 18 career starts.

Odds On Moinet extended her recent roll as she moved to the front at the quarter pole and scored in 1:53.3 for her fourth consecutive victory. Six Pistol was a rallying second, a neck short, with Native Doll and Brett Miller third.

“She’ll only pace where she has to,” Palone said. “She won’t even pick you up until a horse comes to her. So I really wasn’t concerned with the horse first over. I was more concerned with Native Doll and Brett on my back.”

Robin Schadt trains Odds On Moinet, a daughter of Real Artist-Aparte, for Odds On Racing.

Fisher’s Character takes fastest Pa Stallion Series split

Fisher’s Character unleashed a powerful uncovered bid from third and went on to score in a career-best 1:51, fastest division of a $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake.

The event for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers was conducted over five divisions, with Sectionline Blast, Dodekaphobia, Bonners Creek and Shakearosa taking the other splits. Dave Palone enjoyed a stakes double, with Fisher’s Character and Dodekaphobia.

Chris Gooden photos

Fisher’s Character lowered his mark to 1:51 on Friday.

Palone left for position with Fisher’s Character but had no designs on the early lead.

“I didn’t want to put him on the front end,” Palone said. “Anytime he can sit in and relax for a half-mile like he did today, he’ll give you one really good push. It couldn’t have worked out any better.”

The alert move by Fisher’s Character gave him the jump on the second-over Colonial Road, whose late brush fell a half-length short. Iwannarace Hanover finished third. Ron Burke trains Fisher’s Character, a gelded son of Shady Character-Canaco Bercy, for Burke Racing Stable.

Dodekaphobia, a gelded son of Village Jolt-Spunky Gal who failed to take a mark in 11 2009 starts, got away third and blew the field away with a first-over move. He scored in a lifetime-fastest 1:53.3, 4-1/4 lengths better than McDickerson. The hard-used Village Rusty was third.

“He had some breaking issues last year,” said Eric Ell, who trains Dodekaphobia, a $25,000 yearling purchase, and owns with Lynda Wozny. “He was just green, didn’t know what he was doing. So we nursed him along. He’s just starting to do the right thing. He’s turning into a nice little colt, much better than I thought he would be.”

Sectionline Blast, who prepped for the stake in a pair of tough overnight events at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, made a sharp quarter-pole move for Mike Simons and won handily in 1:53. Tuff Enuff Hanover was second, 3-1/4 lengths in arrears, while Unicorn Hanover finished third.

“When I landed third, I wanted to put him on the lead,” Simons said. “If I’d been sitting second, I’d have been happy. But with a seven-horse field, the worst spot for you is the three or four hole. It was a move I had to make. He’s a tough little racehorse. The Stallion Series is a good spot for him.”

Fred Grant trains Sectionline Blast, a son of Blissful Hall-Armbro Alto, for James Corona, John Shufon and Clyde Jasinski.

In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace, Mypanmar made it three in a row with a front-end score in 1:50.4 from post eight. Pedro Island was a game second, a neck back, with Jojo N Goliath third. Palone drove for trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. and Peter Pan Stables. Mypanmar, a 9-year-old gelded son of The Panderosa-Road To Pandalay, pushed his career bankroll to a flashy $1,432,040.