from the Meadows Publicity Department
Meadow Lands, PA –– Coulantine, Bellissimo, Centerfold Kosmos and Traci Spur each won a split of the Delmonica Hanover at the Meadows. All four winners won in gate-to-wire fashion.
The undefeated Coulantine and driver Dave Palone won the first division in 1:59.4. Palone fired the daughter of Lindy Lane right to the front and never looked back, winning in gate-to-wire fashion. The $20,000 yearling purchase has now won her first five career starts, all in stakes action for trainer Doug Miller. Palone stayed at the Meadows only for two races then flew to The Red Mile for more stakes action.
Hazy Photo and Mike Wilder got a garden trip and settled for the place spot. Dior Kosmos and Rodney Bolon finished third.
Bellissimo and Brian Zendt took top honors in the second division in a time of 2:01. “I wanted to follow Ed (Lohmeyer) but when Charlie (Norris) started to come I had to make a move at the (first) quarter,” said Zendt. “We got pretty good fractions, I never let her trot till the head of the stretch.”
Bellissimo is a daughter of Lindy Lane too. She has now won eight of nine starts for the Dunn Stable.
Minky Hanover and Norris finished second. Pacific Centerfold and Lohmeyer settled for third.
Centerfold Kosmos won the third division in 2:01 for driver Ray Paver. The daughter of S J’s Photo has been no worse than second in all eight-career starts. “She knows what to do now, she’s coming around real nice,” Paver said. “You never know who’s coming at you, but she won pretty handily tonight.” With soft fractions (:29.4 – 1:00 – 1:31) Paver cruised to an open length victory.
Whisper Lane finished second for Wilder. Spotty Too Hotty and Bolon closed to finish third.
Traci Spur and Richard Stillings won the final division. “I got really nice fractions, it would have been hard to beat Brian (Zendt) with faster fractions,” Stillings said. “I knew I was going to win, but the last couple steps Brian (Zendt) started gaining on me. His horse raced good, but we were really tough in here.”
This was Traci Spur’s first start in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action, so it’s unlikely she will make the final, but she will be racing in stakes races at other tracks.
Rosebud Sioux and Zendt closed in the lightning lane to finish second. Keystone Call Girl finished third.
Sweet Deal Hanover Sets Track Record
The four-year-old gelding Sweet Deal Hanover set a new track record in 1:55.3 for four-year-old gelding trotters previously held by Bannockburn and Pokey Reese.
Brian Zendt drove for his father Bill. “He races best when you don’t leave hard, I crossed over into the three-hole and got into a good spot,” said Zendt (Brian). “He did get a little rough around the last turn, but nothing where he wanted to make a break. Through the lane he was as good as he looked.” He looked great and won easily in a record setting time.