the Meadows Publicity Department

While The Preakness may have been the primary race on people’s minds Saturday evening, The Meadows hosted a strong group of three-year-old trotters in five divisions of The Super Bowl, a Pennsylvania Sire Stake.

Over $117,000 in purse money was on the line in five divisions of the stake, with each group battling for $23,436 on a rain-soaked, sloppy track.

The first split was captured by American Jackpot, trained and driven by local reinsman Charlie Norris. American Jackpot, a gelded son of American Winner, went to the front early and never looked back, cruising to a 1:59.1 win in just his fourth career start for owners Joseph Berry and Louis Carlo. ENS Crescendo, driven by Dave Palone, made a stretch bit but had to settle for second. The strongest horse late in the mile was Coyote Creek, driven by Stephen Smith. Coyote Creek made a break behind the gate, spotted the field nearly 10 lengths, and had to play catch-up the entire mile. Despite the early trouble, the colt finished with a flurry, landing on the ticket third.

Charlie Norris continued his success in the second division with another son of American Winner. This time it was American Mike, one of the sport’s top sophomore trotters, who was making a rare appearance on his home surface. Owned by Robert Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, American Mike had to take the overland route to the winner’s circle. He made an early bid from the outside post in the eight horse field, but early frontrunner Johnny Peanuts, driven by Carlo Poliseno, parked Durgin Hanover (Rod Bolon) to the first quarter in 29 seconds. American Mike was double-parked for nearly the first quarter, before backing off to take a cover trip behind Durgin Hanover.

The front pair of Johnny Peanuts and Durgin Hanover battled side by side to the half mile pole in 59 seconds. As they neared the ¾ pole, Norris made a three-wide bid with American Mike, reaching the ¾ marker in 1:28.3. By the top of the stretch, American Mike had cleared to the lead and went on to victory in 1:58.3. Johnny Peanuts finished second, while Durgin Hanover survived his rough trip for an impressive third place finish. American Mike pushed his career bankroll over the $350,000 mark with what was his second victory in just three starts this season.

Bedford’s Roger Hammer appeared to have the third division of the stake well in hand with Keystone Americus, the 4-5 betting favorite. He took the lead early, setting fractions of 29.4, 1:01 and 1:31.3 for the first three quarters of the mile. Keystone Americus brought the field into the stretch with a comfortable length-plus lead over Springforit, a newcomer that picked a tough spot for his first career race. Nonetheless, the fresh face defeated the 11-time winner, as Springforit passed Keystone Americus in the final stride to win in 2:01. Co-owned by Regina Beinhauer and trainer/driver Rick Beinhauer, Springforit had just competed in his first qualifying race four days earlier, which made him eligible to compete. He sat third throughout the early fractions before pulling to the outside around the last turn to make his drive for the winner’s circle. Springforit is a son of SJ’s Photo.

Keystone Americus settled for second, ahead of Tiger Windswept, who was driven by Dave Palone.

The fourth division was captured by Noexcuse B, driven by Bob Blanton, Jr. At the beginning of the mile, Stonetag and driver Bryce Truitt were determined to get the early lead, but found themselves parked for much of the first quarter, which was reached in 29.1. Stonetag then cut the half in 59.3 before getting to the ¾ pole in 1:29. Noexcuse B pulled to the outside around the last turn, going on for an easy victory in 1:59.2, ahead of Stonetag and Whitesville Toy (Dave Palone).

In the night’s final division, a world champion showed his heels to the field. Uncle Vernon, who last year trotted the fastest mile ever for a freshman colt on a half-mile track, showed that he can handle the 5/8 mile track at The Meadows. He was uncontested as he went right to the front for driver Dave Palone, setting fractions of 29.1 and 1:00.4. He sprinted the final half mile in 59.2 with a last quarter of 28.3, reaching the wire in 2:00.1.

Uncle Vernon, a son of Lindy Lane, is owned by Matthew Bailey and Karen Baggitt, and trained by John Baggitt, Jr. It was the colt’s first win of the year, in just his second appearance on the track.

Backstretch, driven by Don Rothfuss, and Genius, under rein to Carlo Poliseno, followed Uncle Vernon around the track and ultimately finished second and third, respectively.