by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — Hammered down to 1-9, Jack Attack made it look like smart money when he captured a division of Monday’s (July 8) $120,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series at The Meadows in a stakes record 1:53.

The stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers was conducted over six divisions, with Dontmeswiththebest, Jackson Brady, Heart Felt, Leyden and Jolted By Wine also taking $20,000 splits. Dave Palone enjoyed a stakes double with Jack Attack and Heart Felt, among his six wins on the 15-race card.

Chris Gooden photo

Jack Attack and Dave Palone scored in a stakes record time of 1:53.

Jack Attack won a June 30 PA All Stars division with the benefit of a pocket trip. He needed no such help Monday when he zipped to the lead from the gate and defeated Ewald Hanover by 2-1/4 lengths, with Cammikey third. The time knocked two ticks from the previous stakes record set last year by Shock It To ‘Em.

“They told me he has a tendency to get a little hot, but he was perfect,” Palone said. “He rated well and got home well when I asked on him. He’s a nice colt.”

Joe Pavia, Jr. trains the homebred Allamerican Native-Pocket Queens gelding for Robert Becker.

Making his pari-mutuel debut, Dontmeswiththebest waited patiently in the pocket, then burst through in the Lightning Lane for Marcus Miller to score in 1:54, two lengths better than Finley Hanover. War Front earned show. Robin Cruise conditions the Western Terror-Numberonetreasure gelding for Erv Miller Stable, Louis Willinger and Paymaq Racing.

“He warmed up all right today, looking at stuff at the new track,” Miller said. “But he’s a nice little horse. In his first start, I wanted to be as cautious as I could and still win. It doesn’t seem like much bothers him. He can only go up from here, right?”

Jackson Brady was a late foal, but he unleashed a veteran-like first-over move to collect his maiden victory in 1:55.1 for Brett Miller, trainer Randy Bendis and owners Jack B. Piatt II, R. Lewis Hauber and Bendis. Ivan Bob rallied for second, 1-1/4 lengths back, while early leader Foiledbythedragon saved show.

“He kind of surprised me today,” Bendis said. “I thought he’d be a little closer, maybe get a little more trip, but he really hung tough. He’s a June 15 foal, so he’s about as late as it gets. He’s eligible up through Lexington, but we just might take it easy on him because he’s a hair younger and less developed than some of the others.”

Stakes racing at The Meadows resumes Tuesday with the Albatross, a $269,805 PA Sires Stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers. First post is 12:55 p.m.