by Adam Packard, for the Meadows
Meadow Lands, PA –– Six divisions of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers, known as the Meadow Cheer, headlined The Meadows’ 14 race card on Tuesday night.
The first division had George Leon’s Allamerican Apex go wire-to-wire for driver Brian Sears.
“I left hard and wanted to cut it,” Sears said. “I knew this filly had a lot of ability. She bottomed them out and she raced good.”
Pressured to a half of :55, Allamerican Apex showed a lot of heart and fought off numerous challengers to win in 1:542, breaking her lifetime mark by three seconds. The win was her fourth in 11 starts.
Play For Real and Jack Parker, Jr. settled for the place spot after a bold three-wide move down the backstretch. Panne Ala Vodka finished third.
Sears continued his winning ways in the second division with Labor Of Love.
“She’s a bit lazy but she’s getting better every start,” said Sears.
Sitting in the three hole, Sears ducked into the lightning lane after Brian Zendt and Western Top Cat came to the outside.
“I was going to do whatever Brian (Zendt) didn’t do; when he pulled I went the other way.”
Randy Bendis, John Campbell, Frank Castelli and William Varney own this filly, who broke her maiden in a time of 1:554.
Mississippi River hung on for second after cutting most of the mile for Palone. Western Top Cat finished third for Zendt.
Lavish Lady took the third division for driver Richard Stillings. Stillings found room down the lane after favorite Restive Hanover made a costly break for Palone. Lavish Lady took full advantage of her opportunity and won in 1:562. Shady Matilda finished second for Corey Braden. She was purchased for only $800 as a yearling. Blue Artist finished third for Tyler Stillings.
Sunny Character looked very impressive in her victory for Palone.
“We needed to be first or second to make the final, that was our first objective,” said Palone. “She won pretty handily, she’s a nice filly.”
Sunny Character won in wire-to-wire fashion and showed a strong last quarter of :283 to win in 1:543.
Quest Hanover finished second for Wilbur Yoder. Silhouette and Sears finished third.
Sub Rosa Hanover proved she’s worth her $80,000 yearling price by winning the fifth division for Mike Wilder.
“She was really good, I wasn’t real happy sitting second, I wanted to move my filly to the front,” Wilder said. “She got lulled to sleep, and it was hard to go from low to high gear; halfway down the stretch she reached top gear and I was real happy with her performance.”
The win was her third in 10 starts for owners Dan Altmeyer, Jacob Ramsburg, Richard Kelson and Jack Piatt II.
Bacon Hill Dannie closed in the lightning lane to finish second. Magical Western and Fast Ruffles finished in a dead heat for third.
The final division was one by San Beegle and Western Moon.
“She has some bad manners, but she’s starting to overcome them even with me driving her,” Beegle said jokingly. “It was over once we hit the stretch; I know my filly was better than these.”
She proved to be the best on this night and took a new lifetime mark of 1:561.
Alexa Hall finished second for driver Steve Schoeffel. Hurrikane Nina and Piginablanket finished in a dead heat for third.
Sires Stakes action continues on Thursday at the Meadows with two-year-old filly trotters. Post time is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. (EDT) for the 15 race card.
Stillings wins seven
Driver Richard Stillings collected seven wins on the evening.
Stillings won with Eicarls Mosheim, Lord Admiral N, Lavish Lady, Life Of Leisure, Armbro Atlas, Spin Doctor and Sinatra Spur.