by Evan Pattak for The Meadows

Washington PA — Terror At Night moved smartly first-over to score in a stake-fastest 1:54.1 in Wednesday’s (July 15) $140,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake for freshman filly pacers.

The event was contested over seven divisions, with Triple Charm, Healthy Gain, Gingertreescarlett, Burden of Proof, Out West Somewhere and End To End Hanover taking the other splits. Aaron Merriman fashioned a stake double behind Triple Charm and Gingertreescarlett.

Chris Gooden photo

Terror At Night hadn’t seen the lead at any point in her brief career, but she was plenty determined to get there when Eric Goodell unleashed her from third.

“The only reason I came with her was because she got a little antsy in the hole,” Goodell said. “Instead of having her run, I gave her a little room. Once she got out there, she was really relaxed. I don’t think she ever turned her motor on.”

The daughter of Western Terror-Enhance the Night defeated Catharsis by 1-3/4 lengths, with Some Fancy Filly third. Les Givens trains Terror At Night for Nanticoke Racing, Edward Mass III and Arlene Paisley.

Triple Charm also was a newcomer to the lead, but as he sized up the field at the gate, Merriman decided to show her what the front end is about.

“I didn’t think the lead was necessarily the spot for her, but it looked like only a couple were leaving, so I left,” Merriman said. “You have to be forwardly placed a lot of times when no one else is on the gate. She was extremely laid back, but if they went around another time, they wouldn’t have gone by her. That’s how tough she was.”

She held off Sweet As Sugar by a neck in 1:54.4 while Newborn Sassy earned show. Casie Coleman conditions Triple Charm, a daughter of Western Terror-No One Is Alone, for West Wins Stable, Adriano Sorella and Howard Taylor.

Healthy Gain endured the kind of trip that would frustrate many green youngsters. She was looped from the gate, forced on to the front when no hole was available and passed in mid-race. But the daughter of Western Ideal-Electric Smile, a two-time winner at the Pennsylvania Fairs, persevered for Tony Hall, rallying in the lane to prevail in 1:55. East Side Hanover was a half-length back in second with Official Treasure third.

“She really isn’t in the best shape of her life right now,” said Shawn Johnston, who trains the $15,000 yearling purchase for Tracy Chropek and Gary Johnston. “She started late, and we had terrible track conditions where I’m based. I fair-raced her for tighteners. She should only get better.”

Friday’s program at The Meadows features the Sand Tart, a $214,776 PA Sires Stake for 2-year-old filly pacers, as well as a $25,000 total-pool guarantee for the Pick 5 (races 9-13). First post is 6:55 p.m.