by Evan Pattak for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Lady Athens, who was off stride in both her previous career outings, was flat and fast Wednesday (July 8) at The Meadows when she trotted to a stake record 1:57.1 in a $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event for freshman fillies.

Chris Gooden photo

Ballerina Volo won a division in 1:59.4 in a $100,000 PA Stallion Series division at The Meadows.

The stake was contested over five divisions, with LOL Hanover, Ballerina Volo, Real Caviar and Witnesstheprincess taking the other splits. Aaron Merriman and trainer Chris Beaver teamed for a pair of stake victories with Ballerina Volo and Witnesstheprincess.

Rich Gillock, who trains the homebred daughter of Muscle Massive-Miss Athens for Thomas Brice and Charles Receski, indicated he’s been tweaking Lady Athens’ shoeing to keep her on gait.

“ She caught a hard track in her first start, and I’m not so sure her feet weren’t hurting her,” Gillock said. “It’s taken us a while to get her squared away. Today everything worked out nice. I’d like to have seen the last quarter in :28 rather than the first one. We’ll have to work on that next.”

On Wednesday, she led the field through a swift 1:26 three-quarters before tiring late. But she responded to Tony Hall’s urging and held off 41-1 long shot My Pink Bike by a neck. Global Installation finished third. The time knocked a tick from the previous stake mark established by Nitro Nittany in 2013. It was one of four wins on the 15-race card for Hall.

LOL Hanover took to the track for her career debut before the surface was upgraded from good to fast, but the daughter of Explosive Matter-Lil’ Miss Tut had little trouble overcoming a parked-out first quarter and prevailing in 1:57.3 for trainer/driver Charlie Norris. Early leader Moolah Moolah was second, 1-1/4 lengths back, with Moots third.

“She wasn’t real sure of the track when I warmed her up, and I just wanted to get her set before I went forward with her,” Norris said. “She’s growing so fast — that’s why I didn’t throw her in the sires stakes. I want to bring her along slow.”

Carrie Norris and Neal Goldman campaign LOL Hanover, a $13,000 yearling acquisition.

Ballerina Volo has been ahead at every pole in her two-race career, and the daughter of Yankee Glide-Bank of Newport hardly was tested in Wednesday’s victory. She scored for owners Synerco Ventures, Bill Manes and Beaver in 1:59.4, 3 lengths better than Goodtogo Hanover. High Beam Hanover completed the ticket.

“She won on her own today — I left the plugs in,” Merriman said. “I don’t know how good she’ll be. I’m sure she’ll go a little bit more when she’s following. Honesty pays. When you have an honest trotter, you’ll make money.”

In the $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace, Atta Boy Dan not only made it five wins in his last six starts, but he also eclipsed Itrustyou’s track record for older geldings by triumphing in 1:49.1, fastest mile this year at The Meadows. Dave Palone drove the 6-year-old son of Western Terror-Dropitlikeitshot, who extended his lifetime bankroll to $339,117, for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Friday’s program at The Meadows features six divisions of the Meadow Gladys, a $211,838 PA Sires Stake for 2-year-old filly trotters. First post is 6:55 p.m.