Arden Downs action recap

WASHINGTON, PA, July 29, 2023  — Saturday’s (Jul. 29) Adios Day card at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows featured, of course, the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids as well as the Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo. But the harness racing program also offered four other Arden Downs Grand Circuit stakes. Here’s a round-up of that action.

$34,505 Dwane Parker 3-Year-Old Filly Trot

This stake was renamed to honor the memory of the late Dwane Parker, longtime Meadows trainer who died earlier this year. Parker also was a founder, convener and host of an annual Adios Day event called “Parkerpalooza,” when the extended Parker-Bolon clan — and anyone else who drops by — gathers on The Hill overlooking the back stretch to celebrate family and great harness racing.

Many of the celebrants trekked to the winners’ circle where they joined Angelpedia (Cantab Hall-Baker Blank), who powered off to a 4-length score following a quarter-pole move for Mike Wilder. Truly Relentless and Lillehammer Hall rounded out the ticket.

“She’s eligible to just about everything,” Wilder said. “It’s a matter of what the owners decide to do with her. There are a lot of options with her.”

Dan Altmeyer trains her, who has banked $134,561 for owners Gilbert Short and Rose Stables LLC.

ANGELPEDIA REPLAY

$44,254 James Manderino 3-Year-old Colt and Gelding Trot

The James Manderino was a showcase for Anthony MacDonald and trainer Tim Twaddle, who swept the two divisions with Crantini and Austral Hanover (International Moni-Aspidistra Hanover), both campaigned by MacDonald’s fractional ownership groups.

After winning more than $182,000 last year, Crantini was said to be on the Hambletonian trail. But after exhibiting fractiousness and other bad habits, MacDonald relocated the International Moni-Peach Martini gelding to a new base at The Meadows and some softer engagements.

“He’s always been a little bit of an idiot, to be honest,” MacDonald said. “We brought him back here to maybe do exactly what he’s been doing, finding his best foot. Tim’s done a great job keeping him quiet. I had to work on him today. You never used to do that; you’d be very careful with him. He’s probably rounding into the horse we hoped he would be.”

Austral Hanover brushed confidently around the leaders in the lane and prevailed in 1:55.2.  Momoni De Vie was second, beaten 1-3/4 lengths, while Big Boy Earnest earned show.

$42,496 Mary Lib Miller 2-Year-Old Filly Trot

Speaking of sweeps, trainer Ron Burke accomplished this in the Mary Lib Miller with wins by My Girl EJ (Sweet Lou-Lucy`s Pearl) and Lousloulemon. My Girl EJ was especially impressive, as she routed the field by 12-3/4 lengths in a stake-record 1:51.1. Stay Lucky and Sonadora were second and third, respectively.

“She’s been very nice, but she’s a little bit fussy about her mouth,” said winning driver Chris Page of the daughter of Sweet-Lou-Lucy’s Pearl, a maiden entering the day for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC,  Elizabeth Novak and Howard Taylor. “So I didn’t wrestle with her. I just kind of let her do her thing. I know that’s not that bottom. I know there’s still more left in the tank.”

Lousloulemon also broke her maiden, moving first over to upset at 9-1 in 1:53.1 for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. Ginger Tree Belle was a head back in second, with Deja Jade third. Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscmi, Purnel & Libby and Larry Karr campaign the daughter of Sweet Lou-Fashion Fluzzy.

MY GIRL EJ REPLAY

$40,696 Roy Davis 2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace

The splits went to Silken Sweet (Betting Line-Sweet Body) and Rose Run Zeke.

Silken Sweet hadn’t so much as hit the board in four outings, but he made it look easy for Dave Palone, scoring by 3-1/2 lengths on the front end in an unpressured 1:51.4.  Senditin Jim and Rio completed the ticket.

“This was a case of watching replays from the previous week,” Palone said. “He was loaded last week and never found a way through. He just looked like a big, growthy colt that might just want to stretch his legs out. I figured my only shot was to put him in the hunt and go from there. He was very attentive, and when I asked on him, he was gone.”

Deborah Daguet trains her for D Racing Stable Inc. and Donald MacRae.

Rose Run Zeke, meanwhile, stretched his career unbeaten streak to four by downing Solid Character by 2 lengths, with Dream Bird earning show. Hunter Myers piloted the  Stay Hungry-Rose Run Ultimate gelding for owner/trainer Mitchell York.

SILKEN SWEET REPLAY

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday, first post 12:45 PM.

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

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association