by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Caviar Crown worked out a cozy pocket trip and converted it to a stakes record performance in a division of a $243,788 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Thursday (July 23) at The Meadows.

The event, known as the Hickory Smoke, was contested over four divisions, with And Heez Perfect, NF Quotable and Triumphant Caviar taking the other splits. Dave Palone recorded a Hickory Smoke driving double with Caviar Crown and Triumphant Caviar.

Chris Gooden photo

Caviar Crown scored in a stakes record clocking of 1:54.

In the money all but once in 13 career starts, Caviar Crown stalked early leader Citation Lindy from the pocket, then blazed home in :28.3 to defeat Photoforwin by a length in 1:54. The time erased the stakes record of 1:54.3 established last year by In Focus.

“He shows a lot of heart,” said Kris Rickert, who trains the son of SJ’s Caviar-Sharon Crown, a $6,500 yearling acquisition for Dale Wareham. “He’s a really relaxed horse, but when it comes to racing, he comes off a helmet better than anybody. He’s not staked beyond the PASS final at Pocono. We have to find somewhere to go with him.”

And Heez Perfect alarmed trainer Peter Foley when he galloped wildly while warming up and nearly ran off. He was all business in the race, however, using the “Lightning Lane” to score for Mike Wilder in 1:54.4. Salutation Hanover was a neck back in second, with Shibboleth Hanover third.

“He has a few quirks to him — he’s a bit silly,” Foley said. “Thank goodness he won that one because it puts us in the sires stake final. I’m happy about that. He’ll race in the Arden Downs next week and hopefully the Colonial at Chester. He’s also eligible for the Old Oaken Bucket and races at the Red Mile.”

Mitchell Walker owns the Andover Hall-Perfect Patty homebred.

NF Quotable followed the live cover of first-over Broadway Bistro, then tracked down that rival late to prevail in 1:54.4 for Aaron Merriman. Broadway Bistro saved place, 3-3/4 lengths back, with The Vatican third.

“He felt a little bit stronger today,” Merriman said. “The trip helped; it made him braver in the last turn. He felt like a fresh horse when I moved him.”

Sam Beegle trains the son of Tom Ridge-NF Notable, who pushed his career earnings beyond $250,000, for Daniel and Thomas Courtemanche.

Palone and trainer Ron Burke won both featured overnight events on the 15-race card. They scored with Master Begonia in the $27,500 Preferred Handicap Trot. The mile in 1:53.4 equaled the track record for older gelding trotters held jointly by Lolique and Prism K.

Tom’s OK Lady easily captured her second consecutive $27,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot, winning by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:55.2.

Dan Charlino enjoyed a driving triple.