by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Broadway Paige, the state’s 2008 juvenile filly champion, took her first step towards a repeat on Tuesday (May 26) at The Meadows when she captured a division of a $247,715 Pennsylvania Sires Stake in her seasonal debut.

The stake for 3-year-old trotters, known as the Stenographer, was contested over five divisions, with All Star Hanover, Whispering Wind, Caviar Russe and Spiceberry Hanover taking the other splits. Mike Simons enjoyed a driving double (Whispering Wind, Caviar Russe) in the Stenographer.

Chris Gooden photo

Broadway Paige came up the “Lightning Lane” to win her PASS event on Tuesday.

Off since her sixth place finish in a Nov. 8 Matron Stake elimination, Broadway Paige got the ideal trip for her return engagement. Dick Stillings eased her into the pocket behind Missy’s Doubt Fire, giving her access to the “Lightning Lane.” The daughter of Broadway Hall-Financial Paige poured through the inside to down Missy’s Doubt Fire by a half-length in a career-best 1:57.2, with Timelesswinner Two third despite a tough journey.

Brian Roland, who trains the $13,000 yearling acquisition for Anthony Risi, Carol Risi and Bernard O’Brien, said he didn’t advise Stillings to pursue a soft trip for Broadway Paige off the layoff.

“It wasn’t too hard on her, but when we’re racing for money, I don’t tell drivers anything, unless there’s something with the horse they need to know,” Roland said. “The Currier & Ives is her next event, and she’s eligible for the Hambletonian Oaks. That’s probably shooting a little high, but you never know.”

If Broadway Paige wants another PA crown, she’ll have to deal with All Star Hanover, who dominated her division, cruising to a 5-1/2 length, front-end victory in 1:57.2 for Dave Palone. Ellen Harvey was second while Caviar’s Promise finished third.

“She’s a sweetheart to drive, a perfect filly to drive,” Palone said. “I thought I’d go to the front and keep her out of trouble. She got home very well. She’s as nice as they come because she lets you drive her however you need to.”

Joe Holloway trains All Star Hanover, a daughter of Cantab Hall-Astraea Hanover who pushed her career bankroll past $200,000, for Bluestone Farms and Fredericka Caldwell.

Whispering Wind, who was talented but sometimes troubled at 2, showed that she has her act together, winning in 1:57.2 on the heels of her triumph in the final of the Scranton series at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Dover Miss was 2-1/2 lengths back in second, with Caviar Forthe Lady third.

“Last year she had a few issues, more mental than anything else,” said Roland Mallar, who trains the Michael Andrew-homebred daughter of Broadway Hall-Wild Pine. “I hope they’re behind her, and I think they are. She seems to have matured a lot. Right now, knock on wood, she doesn’t seem to have any serious problems.”

In the $25,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, Biletnikoff made a quarter-pole move to the lead for Aaron Merriman and drew off to score by three lengths in 1:51.2, lowering his lifetime mark a tick. Lite Me Up and Pacey Deucey completed the ticket. Paul Kennedy, Jr. trains Biletnikoff, a 5-year-old gelded son of Keystone Raider-Strikadeeze, for Markus Ernst.