by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Although Dancinwiththestarz set a national season’s record in her division of a $286,088 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday (July 1) at The Meadows, she had to share the spotlight with her driver, Brian Sears, who captured five of the stake’s eight splits.

In the stake, known as the Sand Tart, Sears also scored with Fancy Filly, Harley Girl, Panopsis and Moment Of Truth. Brett Miller drove a pair of divisional winners, Sammy’s Magic Girl and Farouche Hanover, while Dave Palone triumphed with Native Doll. George Teague, Jr. enjoyed a Sand Tart training double with Fancy Filly and Moment Of Truth.

Chris Gooden photo

Dancinwiththestarz set a national season’s mark of 1:55 in winning her PASS split.

Dancinwiththestarz, who handily won her pari-mutuel debut at the Meadowlands, went right to the front as part of Sears’ strategy.

“She’s kind of funny about her mouth,” Sears said. “When she got the bit set in her mouth, I just kind of let her pace out of there. It really didn’t feel like we were going :27 (seconds); she surprised me there but she gets over the ground pretty good.”

Her time of 1:55 was the fastest this year by a freshman pacing filly on a five-eighths-mile track, although well off Ginger And Fred’s 1:53.2 stake record. Smoke Pan Mirrors was a half-length back in second, with Marymaryfra third. John Stark, Jr. trains Dancinwiththestarz, a daughter of Four Starzzz Shark-So Western, for W Springtime Racing Stable and Shannon Brott.

Fancy Filly, a daughter of Western Hanover-Fanciful Hanover, moved to the lead before the quarter pole and drew off to win by 4-3/4 lengths over Bordeaux Nourrir while Livininfastforward finished well back in third. Sears not only drove Fancy Filly in a pair of non-wagering 2-year-old events, but he also worked her several times at Teague’s farm.

“She’s very mature. She’s all racehorse already,” Sears said. “She has the talent to go along with the mind. She has the whole package, really.”

Sammy’s Magic Girl was in tight quarters out of the gate and again when she slipped off the pylons to launch a backside move. She handled both situations with aplomb, going on to win in 1:55.2, two lengths better than Mano Cornuto. Isthmus Of Panama was third.

“Past the half when a filly made a break, there were some tight quarters,” Miller said. “Once that filly moved out of the way, everything was clear. She felt like a million dollars finishing. I could see her going on in the future.”

Bill Popfinger trains the daughter of Western Hanover-LT’s Magic and owns with George Muzea.

Victory in the $27,500 Preferred Trot appeared out of reach for Palone and Master Begonia, who were shuffled to fifth around the final turn. But the 6-year-old gelded son of Master Lavec-Shimma Begonia threaded his way through horses and surged late to score in 1:54.3, a career best. Ron Burke trains Master Begonia for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Palone drove four winners on the 17-race card while Dan Charlino fashioned a three-bagger.