by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows
Washington, PA — Caitrin Hall, who scored a mild upset in capturing the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes championship, will try to continue her Keystone State roll on Friday (September 16) at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino when she leaves from the rail in the Moni Maker, a $233,400 test for 3-year-old filly trotters.
Trainer Tony Alagna reports that the daughter of Tom Ridge-CR Oh Suzanna is feeling fine for the Moni Maker after a visit to her favorite veterinarian.
World Wide Racing Photos
Caitrin Hall (#2) was a neck winner over Cedar Dove in the PA Sire Stakes final at Harrah’s Chester.
“She’s always had an issue with her left hip,” Alagna said, “and it always makes a tremendous difference when she sees Dr. James Mitchell at Gaitway Farm. Sometimes she needs an internal blister to tighten up her muscles, but this week, she needed only an adjustment.”
Although she’s listed a long shot at 12-1 in the morning line, Alagna noted that Caitrin Hall previously has raced well from the rail, including a victory at Springfield in the Review Stakes.
“She’ll get out of there good enough, and it’s just a matter of where she lands,” he said. “She’s pretty versatile. Ideally, she can get away second or third, and the Lightning Lane gives us some options.”
Alagna purchased Caitrin Hall at Harrisburg, where owner Patrick Graham gave him a budget of $30,000 to work with.
“Our final bid was $30,000, and we got her,” Alagna said. “If someone had bid $30,100, we wouldn’t have owned her because we weren’t going any higher.”
The investment was savvy, as Caitrin Hall has earned $306,209 in 20 career starts with a mark of 1:54 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Eric Ledford will drive Caitrin Hall as her semi-regular pilot, David Miller, has opted for Beatgoeson Hanover.
Among the top contenders in the Moni Maker are Iron Lady, fresh off her triumph in the American-National, and Lady Rainbow, who has banked $405,476 this year without a single victory in her eight starts. Currently, Sand Vic holds the North American harness racing record for most money earned in a season, $476,061, without a win.
Even with a place finish, Lady Rainbow can’t quite reach that total in the Moni Maker, but trainer/driver Rick Zeron was good-natured when advised of her quest.
“Yes! I knew there was something she was in the running for,” he told Ellen Harvey of Harness Racing Communications. “Geez, if it’s going to make headlines, then let’s do it.”
The Moni Maker goes as race six with an approximate post time of 8:20 p.m. The field, in post position order, with drivers and morning line odds, is as follows: 1. Caitrin Hall-Eric Ledford-12-1, 2. Iron Lady-Dave Palone-5-2, 3. Beatgoeson Hanover-David Miller-3-1, 4. Creme De Cocoa-D.R. Ackerman-15-1, 5. Devilish Emerald-Brian Zendt-15-1, 6. EL Glamour-Riina Rekila-6-1, 7. Lady Rainbow-Rick Zeron-5-1, 8. Cashmere N Caviar-Tony Hall-12-1, 9. Firstclassprincess-Brian Sears-6-1.
- Lady Rainbow seeks initial 2011 score in Moni Maker (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)
Hambletonian Oaks runner-up Lady Rainbow will be looking for her first 2011 win in the $233,400 Moni Maker Stake for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Friday evening at The Meadows.