by Hunter Holton, for the Clyde Hirt Workshop

East Rutherford, NJ — Darlinonthebeach took care of business in Saturday’s (Aug. 6) $94,675 Shady Daisy for 3-year-old filly pacers on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands. Darlinonthebeach defeated fast-closing Call Me Queen Be by a head in a stakes-record 1:49.1. Blue Moon Stride was third.

Lisa photo

Darlinonthebeach won the Shady Daisy in a stakes-record 1:49.1.

Darlinonthebeach, a Nancy Johansson trainee and Somebeachsomewhere-Darlin’s Delight filly, got away third off the gate, but took command after a strong brush past the half, which was rated in :53.3. Darlinonthebeach continued to lead into the stretch and fought off Blue Moon Stride before holding off Call Me Queen Be at the wire.

Driver David Miller drove the filly to a new lifetime mark in addition to the stakes-record.

“I had to go pretty hard to get around (Blue Moon Stride) but I got a breather, the third quarter was only :28, and she swelled up and did the rest finishing,” said Miller. “I was a little surprised that (Call Me Queen Be) had as much pop as she did. But my mare fought game and kept her head in front.”

Darlinonthebeach paid $4.80 to win as she went off the 7-5 second choice on the board behind the 3-5 favorite, Blue Moon Stride.

The filly is owned by breeder White Birch Farm of Allentown, N.J. She has won six times this year with earnings of $232,941.