by James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator, Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack

Chester, PA — Coming off a third-place effort in the Hambletonian Oaks, Stage Show ($5.20) stole the spotlight in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action at Harrah’s Chester on Thursday (August 14), parlaying pocket position into a 1:55.2 performance over fast going, breaking a track record for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

The Broadway Hall-Flirtin My Way filly showed speed, drawing alongside Kiss The Dice (Steve Smith) and subsequently passing her after an opening quarter of :27.4. Prohibitive 3-5 favorite Swoosh Hanover (Tim Tetrick) continued off Stage Show’s cover and cleared before the bridge turn, backing down the tempo through middle splits of :56.3 and 1:26.

Having worked out a perfect pocket trip, driver Dave Palone was confident in Stage Show’s abilities in the final furlong.

“My game plan was to follow Swoosh Hanover, and it worked out almost perfectly,” commented Palone. “When I put her in the open stretch, she was very strong, right through the finish. I feel right now she can go with any of them.”

Stage Show’s track record 1:55.2 performance was her fifth win in seven career starts. She won by 2-1/4 lengths from Swoosh Hanover, and Whitesville Image (Tony Morgan) held third from a first-over trip.

Jim Campbell trains Stage Show for owners Arlene and Jules Siegel.

Palone also won with two Trond Smedshammer trainees, with Diamondsonbroadway (Broadway Hall-Nadine Angus) winning in 1:58.3, and Poster Pin Up (Andover Hall-Poster Princess) turning in a 1:56.1 performance.

Morguns Sweetheart (Lindy Lane-Tasha Yar) took the final division in 1:56.2 for driver Eric Goodell and trainer Buzzy Sholty.