Once In A Lifetime, Saint Louie dominate Meadows PASS

WASHINGTON, PA, Aug. 11, 2023  — Odds-on favorites Once In A Lifetime (1-9, Father Patrick-Sherrys Lady) and Saint Louie (1-5, Father Patrick-Emmylou Who) dominated Friday’s $140,146 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for 3-year-old male trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, each winning a harness racing division and cementing a berth in the championship. Just as dominant was Dave Palone, who swept the stake, known as the Super Bowl, among his seven victories on the 13-race card.

The $260,000  (est.) divisional PASS final is set for Sept. 3 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

On paper, Once In A Lifetime looked untouchable. His bank account was more than three times larger that that of any of his three rivals in the scratch-shortened field. Moreover, Jim Campbell, who trains him for Sad Frog Farms, was adding Lasix to the colt’s arsenal.

In the race, he was just as untouchable as expected, cruising to a front-end score in 1:53.4. Father Stosh was 1/2 length back in second with Tenforthebigguy third. Once In a Lifetime extended his lifetime earnings to $376,792.

“It was just like a training mile,” Palone said. “He got his own numbers. I just asked him at the head of the stretch, and he was off by himself.”

ONCE IN A LIFETIME REPLAY

Saint Louie had an even easier time of it, springing to the lead from post 4 and never experiencing an anxious moment in his 1:53.4 romp. The pocket-sitting Herodotus was second, beaten 2-3/4 lengths, while Crantini completed the ticket.

“The only thing to say — plugs in, wrapped up,” Palone said. “You never want to extend them any more than you have to with the final coming up, so I just kind of trained him around there.”

The gelding has hit the board in all nine career outings for trainer Ake Svanstedt and owners Ake Svanstedt Inc, Young Guns and Joe Sbrocco.

SAINT LOUIE REPLAY

$40,000 PA Stallion Series Event — 3-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trotters

Big Boy Ernest and Crypto Currency captured the splits in Friday’s (Aug. 11) sub-feature.

Battin A Thousand held a narrow lead turning for home, but most of his rivals remained in contention. Big Boy Ernest found the path to victory in the Lightning Lane, prevailing by 1/2 length in 1:54.3 for Mike Wilder. Battin A Thousand and Biscoe rounded out the ticket. Norm Parker conditions the International Moni-Woohoo Hanover gelding for Charles Receski, Ed Receski, Todd Brice and Bart Brice.

Stake action continues Saturday at The Meadows with a pair of events for 3-year-old filly pacers: a $146,546 PASS and a $60,000 PA Stallion Series event. First post is 12:45 PM.

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

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association