by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Idle Hour unleashed a powerful back-side move, then drew away late to score impressively in 1:53.2 in a division of the $103,200 Keystone Classic for 2-year-old colt pacers on Tuesday night (July 24) at The Meadows.

The stake was contested over four divisions, with Blueridge Western, My Wagons Dragon and Truponder taking the other splits. Dave Palone enjoyed a driving triple (Idle Hour, Blueridge Western, Truponder), while Mickey Burke recorded a training double (Blueridge Western, My Wagons Dragon) in the stake.

Chris Gooden photo

Idle Hour was a 1:53.2 winner for Dave Palone.

Idle Hour appeared sharp and talented in his two previous starts. In fact, stablemate Moon Beam was the only horse to finish ahead of him. In the Keystone Classic, Palone was unhurried with the son of Dragon Again, sitting fourth before launching the winning move.

“We went to the half pretty cheap for that group,” Palone said. “I thought I had the strongest horse, so I didn’t ask him to pace at all to the head of the stretch. His confidence level is ridiculously high. He has a bright future.”

Idle Hour prevailed by 4-1/4 lengths over Oaks Hanover, with Ruff Dragon third. George Teague, Jr. trains Idle Hour for Shanika Lea-Ann Wesley, Shamika Ann Wesley and Teague, Inc.

Truponder fashioned an effortless wire-to-wire victory in 1:54.1, remaining undefeated in two lifetime starts. Western Outfitter was 2-1/2 lengths back in second while Byrd saved ground to earn show money.

It was Truponder’s first race since his July 5 debut in a Pennsylvania Sires Stake. Dylan Davis, who trains the son of The Panderosa for owner/breeder Kalman Saul Liebowitz, said he plans to keep the starts well spaced for the smallish colt.

“I’m trying to take it light on him,” Davis said. “I’m shooting for maybe one big race this year; I’ll let him tell me which one. Mainly, I’ll try to keep him around here. I think he can make a pretty good living around here.”

Blueridge Western dueled with The Iceman Came through a first quarter that went a demanding :27.3. But the son of Allamerican Ingot relaxed on the lead and turned in a handy victory in 1:54 by a length over Upfront Hannahsboy. The Iceman Came saved show.

“He does everything right,” said Ron Burke, assistant trainer for the Burke stable. “I think he’ll get better and better. The more you ask him to go, the more he goes. We weren’t sure about Allamerican Ingot as a stallion, but it looks like he’s represented himself pretty well in Pennsylvania.”

George M. Leon owns the $30,000 yearling purchase.