by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — After a strong 2-year-old season, Podges Lady will try to begin this year with a stakes win in Saturday’s (April 28) $86,000 Courageous Lady at Northfield Park.

The Courageous Lady drew a field of nine 3-year-old filly pacers, including Matron Stakes winner Destiny’s Chance and American-National champion Princess Cruiser.

Podges Lady was a three-time winner last season for trainer Joe Seekman and owner Sawgrass Farms, earning $214,728. She was second to American Jewel in divisions of the Bluegrass and Countess Adios stakes as well as the Kentuckiana Stallion Management. She was third in the American-National and Sweetheart.

Balmoral Park photo

Podges Lady was a 1:55 winner in her division of the Hanover Filly Stakes at Balmoral Park on July 16, 2011.

“Everything’s been good; she’s right on track,” Seekman said. “She’s filled out. She’s a stronger filly. She didn’t grow much in height; she’s an average-sized filly. She’s where you want her to be as far as that goes.

“She’s healthy, she’s good; if she can maintain that she’ll be good in the division.”

Podges Lady (The Panderosa-Four Starzzzz Hope) won her first three starts as a 2-year-old, including a track-record 1:52.1 triumph at The Meadows in a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes. Seekman plans to race Podges Lady in Pennsylvania more frequently this season.

In addition to the sire stakes, Podges Lady’s stakes schedule includes the Breeders Crown, the Circle City, the Keystone Classic, the Adioo Volo and the Horseman.

“We’re going to try to go to more of the Pennsylvania races with her this year and fit in some of the bigger races,” Seekman said. “I think she’ll hold her own, like last year. But you never know with 2-year-olds coming back at 3, it’s anybody’s guess how good they turn the corner and come back. It could go the other way.

“She takes care of herself,” he added. “If you give her a trip, she’s got a good late kick.”

Podges Lady will start from post one in the Courageous Lady, with Northfield’s leading driver, Ryan Stahl, listed at the lines.

Destiny’s Chance, who is one of four fillies in the race from the stable of trainer Ron Burke, won seven of 14 races and $287,098 last year. In addition to the Matron, she won divisions of the Bluegrass (beating Breeders Crown champ Economy Terror from post 10 at The Red Mile), Circle City and Standardbred stakes. She was second to Economy Terror in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final.

Sand Latte’ is the most seasoned of the fillies entering the Courageous Lady, where five horses are making their seasonal debuts. Sand Latte’ has won four of eight starts for trainer Tye Loy and owner Bill Sanders. Princess Cruiser, who has one win in two races this year, is the only other horse with more than one start this season.

Following is the field in post position order for the $86,000 Courageous Lady Stakes, with listed drivers and trainers: 1. Podges Lady, Ryan Stahl, Joe Seekman; 2. Destiny’s Chance, Dave Palone, Ron Burke; 3. Cruzin Tothe Dance, Dan Noble, Virgil Morgan Jr.; 4. Princess Cruiser, Kayne Kauffman, Jim Mulinix; 5. Frontierpan, Mike Wilder, Burke; 6. Sand Latte’, Aaron Merriman, Tye Loy; 7. Darena Hanover, Palone, Burke; 8. Blows Me Away, Noble, Sam Schillaci; 9. Babe Per View, Chris Page, Burke.