by Evan Pattak for The Meadows

Washington, PA — The undefeated Pure Country completed her sweep of four Pennsylvania Sires Stakes preliminary legs, and Newborn Sassy set track and stake records in Wednesday’s (Aug. 19) PASS action at The Meadows. The $212,776 event for freshman filly pacers, known as the Meadow Cheer, was contested over four divisions, with Shezarealdeal and Call Me Queen Be taking the other splits.

Chris Gooden photo

Pure Country completed her sweep of four preliminary PASS legs on Wednesday at The Meadows.

Pure Country was on top early in her split when Skinny Dipper made a nasty break that scattered the back markers and left I Said Diamonds, sitting on Pure Country’s bumper, as the only real competition.

“I heard the horse in the three-hole make a break,” said winning driver Brett Miller. “When I looked at the tote board, I saw there was a big gap, so I thought I should take advantage of that and go a slow second quarter. I think she can go with anybody. She doesn’t have to be on the front. In my opinion, she can race better off the pace. I’ve been putting her on the front to stay out of trouble.”

Pure Country triumphed in 1:52.3, 3/4 lengths better than I Said Diamonds. Hug A Dragoness earned show. Jimmy Takter trains Pure Country, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Western Montana who’s now perfect in five starts, for Diamond Creek Racing.

After launching her career poorly in a July 9 PASS leg, Newborn Sassy retreated to the PA Stallion Series, where she gained confidence and put her game together. In the Meadow Cheer, she saved ground, and then zipped home for Tim Tetrick in 1:51.1, fastest ever for a 2-year-old filly pacer at The Meadows. Weeper held the previous track and stake mark of 1:51.4. Early leader Shesasmokinlady was second, 3-3/4 lengths back, with Peachy third.

“We started her out a little steep there — she wasn’t quite as ready as she should have been, perhaps,” said Jim King, Jr., who conditions the daughter of Western Ideal-Sass Newton — a $37,000 yearling acquisition — and owns with CC Racing. “It was a tough winter in Illinois where she started, so we got a little bit of a late start. She’s developed very well.”

Chris Gooden photo

Newborn Sassy broke the track and stakes record, winning in 1:51.4 in PASS on Wednesday at The Meadows.

Shezarealdeal grabbed her second PASS win with an uncovered backside burst that carried her to victory in 1:52, 1-1/2 lengths better than Princess Fabulosa. Yankee Moonshine finished fourth-placed-third.

“The horse on the front didn’t look that good,” winning driver Marcus Miller said, “so I thought if I could keep pacing hard when we hit the turn, I could get by her. She’s really quick, so I wasn’t too surprised. I put her on the front too many times in a row. Today, just following for a half, she was brave.”

Robin Cruise conditions the daughter of Western Ideal-Shezarealcaesar for Nick Surick Stable and KDM Stables.

In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace, Certified Ideal made it two straight when she found late racing room to score in 1:51, matching her career best. Angels Delight was a nose back in second while Just A Bee completed the ticket.

Tony Hall piloted the 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal-Areba’s Last, who boosted her career bankroll to $391,283, for trainer Randy Bendis and owners Bendis, Mike Novosel, Jr., Tom Pollack and James Walton. It was one of three wins for Hall on the 15-race program.

Friday’s card at The Meadows features the $174,000 Moni Maker for 3-year-old filly trotters, which has drawn Hambletonian runner-up Mission Brief and Hambletonian Oaks winner Wild Honey. The Moni Maker goes as race three on the program, which begins at 6:55 p.m.