by Adam Packard for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA – Three divisions of the Hickory Smoke, a Pennsylvania Sire Stake for three-year-old trotting colts, were held at the Meadows on Thursday night. Hambletonian letdown, Mr Pine Chip, won his split easily, in 1:57, with Trond Smedshammer in the sulky.

“He got a virus a couple days before the Hambletonian and you never know how they’re going to bounce back,” said Smedshammer. This was Mr Pine Chip’s first start back since breaking stride as the favorite in the Hambletonian on August 5. “I still don’t know if this horse is going to be as good as he could’ve been. He was okay today, but you can’t tell too much from today, I drove him easy,” added Smedshammer.

From post position three, Mr Pine Chip was eased out of the gait by Smedshammer and sat on the outside past the first quarter (29). They reached the front by the half-mile marker and never looked back to an easy victory, in 1:57. The margin was shortening but Mr Pine Chip was never asked.

“I don’t like to put him on the front more than I have to, but I was going to get away too far out of it,” mentioned Smedshammer.

Smedshammer confirmed that Mr Pine Chip will be back at the Meadows next week for the $100,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (PASS) final, Saturday, September 2. After the Sire Stakes final he said Mr Pine Chip will be heading to the Delaware County Fairgrounds, The Red Mile and the Breeders Crown.

A stakes record was set in the second division by Bacardi Lindy and driver Dan Dube. The son of SJ’s Photo got parked to the first quarter in 28.2 and proceeded to lead every step thereafter en route to an easy victory, in 1:55.

The $115,000 yearling purchase has been racing extremely well lately at the Meadows, the Meadowlands and Tioga Downs. Thursday night at the Meadows Bacardi Lindy jogged to a stakes record and was under tight lines by Dube as they crossed the wire.

Bacardi Lindy has eight career starts, all this year, with four wins and two second place finishes. Lovin Every Moment finished second for Charlie Norris and the new Smedshammer trainee Having Said That finished third.

The third and final division was won by Lolique and Bill Fahy.

The gelded son of Tagliabue was sent to the lead by Fahy and they set quarter fractions of 28.1, 58, 1:26.3 and they stopped the timer at 1:55.1, to win handily.

“I wanted to keep him out of trouble and keep him flat,” Fahy mentioned. “I was shocked to hear someone around the final turn. Adonis B raced very well tonight.”

All three winners of the Sire Stakes were impressive in their own way, but they will meet again next week in the finals.

“If Bacardi Lindy has enough points to make the final, I think he’s the one to worry about. My Horse was good today and Bacardi Lindy was just as impressive. Mr Pine Chip won tonight, but he didn’t impress me. I don’t know what his story is,” added Fahy.

The finals of the three-year-old PASS will be held Saturday, September 2^nd at the Meadows. For more information on the PASS, check out: http://www.standardbredbreederspa.org/.