by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Treacherous Reign stretched out previously unbeaten Warrawee Ubeaut the first quarter, then wore her down late to pull off the upset in Saturday’s (Aug. 18) $180,862 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at The Meadows. The event for freshman filly pacers, known as the Meadow Cheer, was contested over three divisions, with Sylph Hanover and Bestseller Hanover taking the other splits.

Chris Gooden photo

Sylph Hanover scores in a career-best 1:52.1 in PASS action at The Meadows.

Warrawee Ubeaut had won three straight — including two PASS splits — to start her career, but Treacherous Reign and Andrew McCarthy refused to release her early, forcing her to a brisk half of :54.4. Sensing the leader’s vulnerability, McCarthy pulled the pocket with Treacherous Reign at the three-quarters; they surged near the wire to down Warrawee Ubeaut by a half length in 1:51.3. Rockn Philly earned show.

“I wanted to make her (Warrawee Ubeaut) work a little bit the first quarter,” McCarthy said. “She had to go pretty good fractions after that. My filly was feeling really strong at the three-quarters. The pace was starting to slow down, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t get buried.”

Tony Alagna trains the daughter of Captaintreacherous-Scandalous Hanover for Alagna Racing, Big Als Stable, Let It Ride Stables and Dana Parham.

Sylph Hanover was unhurried early, and it nearly cost her, as she needed a serious uncovered bid to track down the game Sweeter Lulu and down her by a half length in a career-best 1:52.1. Sweet Chrome followed cover for show.

“She’s been getting a little hot the last couple starts,” said winning driver Matt Kakaley. “So we wanted to do things quietly, not get her revved up. I wanted to make one late run with her. She finished great, that’s for sure.”

Ron Burke conditions Sylph Hanover, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-She’s A Fan for Burke Racing Stable, William Switala, James Martin and Joseph Critelli.

The stretch drive became a page-turner for Bestseller Hanover, as she was attacked by Stonebridge Soul on the outside and She’s Allright in the Lightning Lane. The ending was happy, though, as the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Bittorsweet Terror prevailed in 1:52.4 for Dave Palone, trainer Eric Adams and owner Millar Farms. Stonebridge Soul was a head back in second with She’s Allright third.

“We didn’t do any pacing until the eighth pole home,” Palone said. “We turned it into a sprint. It would’ve been tough to catch her from there. We probably came that last eighth in 12 and change.”

It was one of five wins for Palone on the 13-race card.

The freshman fillies will contest one more preliminary PASS leg — Aug. 24 at Harrah’s Philadelphia— before returning to the Meadows Sept. 1 for the $252,000 championship.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday, when the program features a pair of stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers: the Tarport Effrat, a $162,012 PASS, and a $60,000 PA Stallion Series event. First post is 1:05 p.m.