by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — It wasn’t exactly a waltz, but Ginger And Fred danced to a stake record 1:53.2 in the $241,388 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for freshman pacing fillies on Tuesday (August 12) at The Meadows.

The stake, known as the Sand Tart, was contested over six divisions, with Tidewater Misty, Singnoevil Hanover, Up Front Dr J, Sand E Fiftyfive and Rising Star taking the other splits. Dave Palone and trainer Kelly O’Donnell enjoyed doubles with Tidewater Misty and Up Front Dr J.

Chris Gooden photo

Ginger And Fred set a stake record 1:53.2 in winning her PASS division.

Ginger And Fred had won three of her five previous starts but was coming into the Sand Tart off a sickness scratch. Moreover, she was facing Pedigree Snob, an early-season divisional leader who had captured the Countess Adios and the Sweetheart and sported a bank account north of $280,000.

Tim Tetrick sent Ginger And Fred to the front, and the daughter of Real Artist-Graceful Motion thwarted the extended uncovered bid of Pedigree Snob, who was second by 1-1/4 lengths. Little Red Dress was third. The time bettered the previous Sand Tart record of 1:54.2 established by Up Front Norma and Palone in 2004.

“She beat the best here. Whether that makes me the best, I don’t know,” said Kevin Lare, who trains the homebred Ginger And Fred for Ronald Mersky. “She’s a little temperamental, but she wants to do the right thing. As long as she keeps doing the right thing, I’m here to keep collecting the money.”

He said Ginger And Fred is eligible for the Three Diamonds, the Breeders Crown and the Matron.

Tidewater Misty and her stablemate, Up Front Dr J, entered the Sand Tart with a combined six races and no wins. Tidewater Misty was especially impressive in breaking her maiden, persevering on the outside for a half-mile before drawing off to win by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:55.4. Dagnabit Hanover closed with a rush for place while Gunjan Hanover saved show.

“She’s not very big — about 14 hands high, 700 pounds — but she’s game,” said O’Donnell, who trains the daughter of Allamerican Ingot-Lush Laag for David Beachler and Annefuria Singleton. “She won’t grow any more this year, but next year, she should be good. She’s staked to quite a few of the bigger races. I really don’t want to race her too hard because there’s not much of her. We could wear her right to nothing.”

Singnoevil Hanover turned in another workmanlike performance for Mike Wilder, scoring wire-to-wire in an effortless 1:55.4 for her fourth win in six career races. Amazon Queen was a non-threatening second, 2-1/2 lengths in arrears, with Accountable Joe an even third.

Trainer Dan Altmeyer said his chief concern in the race was an apparently tiring track.

“We were a little leery when the first two divisions didn’t come home much,” Altmeyer said. “I told Mike, ‘If you get the lead, you’ll have to rest her some because I don’t know what the deal is with the track.’ She sure didn’t have any trouble getting over it.”

Altmeyer owns the daughter of The Panderosa-Sing Flying Monkey, who remains eligible for most of the rich late-season stakes, with Richard Kelson, Barry Waiter and Murray Brown.

The other three divisions were captured by Up Front Dr J (Dragon Again-Cohiba Mary) in 1:58; Sand E Fiftyfive (I Am A Fool-Scootin Mercedes) in 1:57; and Racing Star (Four Starzzz Shark-In For Life) in 1:55.3.

In the $23,000 Filly & Mare Invitational Trot, I’m Justa Lady worked out a perfect pocket trip and scored a “Lightning Lane” victory in 1:57 for driver Tony Hall, trainer Bill Daumit and owners Janet Collins and Patricia Daumit. The 7-year-old daughter of Inquirer-Quite Becoming has won 51 races and $329,119 in her distinguished career.