by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Eight lengths back at the half, Are You Ready launched a determined late rally that already has become her style to capture a division of the $94,799 Keystone Classic for freshman trotting fillies on Tuesday night (July 17) at The Meadows. Her time was 1:58.3, fastest of the year for a 2-year-old filly trotter on a five-eighths-mile track.

The stake for Pennsylvania-breds was contested over three divisions, with the undefeated Athena Hanover and Witty Girl taking the other splits.

Are You Ready charged past trotters in the stretch to win her Keystone Classic division.

A daughter of first-crop sire Broadway Hall, Are You Ready has finished first or second in her four career starts, coming from well back on each occasion. Winning driver Mike Wilder said he might try Are You Ready on the front end when the circumstances are right.

“Her races have just worked out that way, but I don’t want to beat her up,” Wilder said. “I didn’t even ask her to go tonight until mid-stretch. She’s a perfect filly to drive.”

Are You Ready overtook first-time starter Timeless Winner, who was a neck back in second, just ahead of Petiti. Dan Altmeyer trains and owns Are You Ready with Richard Kelson and Jack Piatt II.

Athena Hanover fashioned another seamless victory, her third in as many starts, making up a six length deficit with an effortless uncovered bid for winning driver Dave Palone. She scored in 1:59 by 2-1/4 lengths over Hawaiianphotograph, with Broadway Woman in third.

Chris Gooden photos

Athena Hanover was a 1:59 winner for Dave Palone in her Keystone Classic split.

Jim Campbell, who trains the daughter of Tagliabue for Vincent T. Molloy and Geraldine N. Malloy, said his brother John and Palone — the two drivers who have piloted Athena Hanover — had the same description of her.

“’Professional’ was their word for her,” Jim Campbell said. “She really seems to want to do it.”

Witty Girl, whose previous racing experience consisted of five qualifiers, survived a war of attrition when four of the seven in her division broke stride. Witty Girl stayed flat, and that was good enough for a victory in 2:04, a neck better than Blueridge Saprisa. Dancinginthedark finished third.

“When I tipped her out, she didn’t seem to know what to do,” said winning driver Charlie Norris. “But she came on. She has the chance to be a good filly.”

Ray Paver trains the daughter of S J’s Photo for Knox Services Inc. and John Rhoads, Jr.

Keystone Classic Notes: Palone drove seven winners on the 15-race card, including four consecutively and a win with Miss Two Thousand at just under 13-1, unusually high odds at The Meadows for a Palone-driven horse.