Washington, PA — First-time starter Beach Cowgirl powered to the point with a first-over move and kept rolling, scoring in a stake-record 1:51 in Friday’s (July 9) $165,755 Pennsylvania Sire Stake at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Proud Mary and My Little Captain captured the other divisions in the event, known as the Sand Tart, for freshman filly pacers.

Beach Cowgirl stamped herself as a top contender during PASS action on Friday with a stakes record performance. Chris Gooden Photo.

Winning driver Joe Bongiorno said despite her greenness; he had no qualms about moving Beach Cowgirl without cover.

“I was very confident with her,” Bongiorno said. “Off the fast pace, I knew I could just grind her up there without talking to her. When I spoke to her in the middle of the last turn, she felt like a horse that’s been doing it for ten years. She had plenty left.”

The daughter of Captaintreacherous-Stonebridge Sundae drew off late to defeat Ginger Tree Coco (David Miller) by 5-1/4 lengths, with Square Deal (Simon Allard) third. The time knocked a full second from the stake mark established by Glassine Hanover in 2016. Jennifer Bongiorno trains Beach Cowgirl for Joseph DiScala, Jr., Zippett Racing, Scarlett Stables LLC and Jaf Racing LLC.

Creedence Clearwater Revival sang of a riverboat named Proud Mary (Dave Palone) “rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on a river,” and in her career debut, the equine Proud Mary lived up to the lyrics. She zipped to the lead from the rail, and though Palone felt the need to shake the lines at her late, she prevailed by a 1/2 length in 1:53.4. Coocooforcoco (Mike Wilder) and Miss Brickley (Hunter Myers) rounded out the ticket.

“She’s light on her feet and has a beautiful mouth,” Palone said. “I spoke to her around the last turn, and she exploded.”

Chris Ryder trains the homebred daughter of Sweet Lou-Tug River Princess for Let It Ride Stables and Bottom Line Racing LLC.

My Little Captain completed the first-time starters sweep when she came first up to score for Mike Wilder, trainer Andrew Stafford and owner Evm Racing LLC. Zanatta was second, 1-3/4 lengths back, while Always B A Star earned show.

“You’re always concerned coming first over with a 2-year-old making her first start,” Wilder said. “But she felt good, and she sure showed up.”

$80,000 PA Stallion Series — 2-Year-Old Filly Pacers

Ambushed (Braxten Boyd) was steppy while trying for the early lead, but once Braxton Boyd got her attention, she was all business, prevailing in a stake-fastest 1:53.1. Cobbler (Palone) was second, beaten 2-1/4 lengths, with Adult Swim (Ridge Warren) third.

“She’s a nice filly — that’s why I came all the way here (from northeastern Pennsylvania),” Boyd said. “Even though it wasn’t the sires stakes, hopefully, I can keep the drive on her. I think we’ll try her in the sires stakes next time; she looks like she can go right with them.”

Also taking splits were Duchess Hill (Palone), Ginger Tree Lena (Miller) and Little Lady J (Miller). 

Palone piloted three winners on the 12-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Saturday, first post 12:45 p.m.