Stakes record set in PASS at The Meadows

WASHINGTON, PA, Aug. 25, 2023 — Seven Colors (Stay Hungry-Rainbowinthedark) launched the decisive move first over from fourth and powered home in a stake-record 1:48.2 in Friday’s (Aug. 25) $137,832 Pennsylvania Sires Stake at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Lyons Surfing (Stay Hungry-Surfside Sexy) and Brue Hanover (Stay Hungry) took the other divisions in the stake, known as the Tarport Effrat, for 3-year-old colt and gelding harness racing pacers.

It was only several weeks ago that trainer Andrew Harris and his partners, William Pollock and Bruce Areman, purchased Seven Colors from the Brian Brown stable. Harris indicated he made only a few rigging changes, such as switching to aluminum shoes behind, but the results in just two races have been spectacular: a world record 1:48.1 in the Carl Milstein at MGM Northfield and Friday’s stake record at The Meadows to push his lifetime earnings to $371,370.

“I don’t think I can complain, that’s for sure,” Harris deadpanned.

In the Tarport Effrat, Seven Colors was unhurried early, but when Dexter Dunn tipped him off the cones, he overwhelmed Loubet, who was a game second, 2-1.2 lengths back. All Class completed the ticket. Harris said Seven Colors would be pointed to the Little Brown Jug after the Sept. 3 PASS championship at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

SEVEN COLORS REPLAY

The time knocked a tick from the mark established in 2014 by McWicked. That also was a source of satisfaction for Harris, who was an assistant to Casie Coleman when she trained McWicked that year.

“Kind of cool to get that record and put it back in my name,” Harris said.

It’s hard to imagine that Lyons Surfing, whose bank account now registers $251,048, could have amassed that amount without a single win in 11 starts this year, but that was his 2023 record entering the Tarport Effrat. Winning driver Tim Tetrick thinks he knows the reason for the seasonal goose egg.

“Being parked out in the eliminations of the Meadowlands Pace really hurt him,” Tetrick said. “It took a lot out of him, and it hurt his feelings. Last week, he had no step. Today he was a little better. I think he’s turning the corner.”

He showed just that when he roared first up past the leader, Bamboozler, and held off the rallying Bugaboo Lou by 1/2 length to score in a career-best 1:50. Just Bet It All finished third. Jim King, Jr, trains Lyons Surfing for Threelyonsracing.

LYONS SURFING REPLAY

Sophomore male pacers also competed Friday in a $40,000 PA Stallion Series event, with Hunters Hero (Stay Hungry) and Stay Grounded (Stay Hungry) capturing the divisions. On Friday, Sept. 8, The Meadows will host all eight $40,000 stallion series finals.

$138,496 PASS — 3-Year-Old Filly Trotters

Heart On Fire (Father Patrick-Corazon Blue Chip) and Fashion Annie (Donato Hanover) took the splits in Friday’s co-feature known as the Stenographer.

Todd McCarthy waited until past the three-quarters to move Heart On Fire first over from third, but the filly had plenty of racetrack to get the job done, triumphing in 1:54.2. Sheer Faith was second, beaten 1/2 length, with early leader Cando Volo third.

“She has a lot of high speed,” McCarthy said, “and I figured if I could wait until I got off the bad part of the turn to tip her and get her moving, that would be the best thing for her. She had plenty of finish. On a good day, she can go with the best of them.”

HEART ON FIRE REPLAY

Tony Alagna conditions Heart On Fire, who boosted her lifetime bankroll to $377,763, for Eric Good.

When Fashion Annie grabbed the lead with a first-over burst, it appeared she would draw off. Instead, she triumphed by what Tetrick called a deliberately measured neck in 1:53.4.

“She likes being close to horses,” Tetrick said. “When she gets by herself, she gets lonely. That’s why I kept close. I’ve cleared before with her, and she always lets go (of the bit). She likes somebody to look at. But I never pulled the plugs today.”

FASHION ANNIE REPLAY

Fashion Annie now has earned $258,783 for trainer Jim Campbell and owner/breeder Fashion Farms LLC.

Friday’s card also offered a $40,000 PA Stallion Series stake for sophomore filly trotters. Tipsy Moni and Sweet On Her each won a division.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a $1,226.38 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race 4). First post is 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association