Arden Downs, new track record at The Meadows

WASHINGTON, PA, July 28, 2023 — Passed by a rival entering the final turn, Skyline Seashell (Father Patrick-Fate Smiled) dug deep, reasserted in the lane and broke her maiden in Friday’s $20,000 Arden Downs Grand Circuit Stake at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Insider Trading (Greenshoe-Topcat Hall) captured the other $20,000 division in the event for freshman filly trotters known as the Edward M. Ryan.

The first-over Better in Aruba edged nearly a full length ahead of Skyline Seashell but could not cross over. That’s when Skyline Seashell responded for driver Mike Wilder and reclaimed the lead, notching her first win in five starts in 1:57.2. Mon Amie Martine rallied for second, a length back, while Better In Aruba saved show.

“I”ve kind of been flying under the radar with my filly,” Wilder said. “I’ve been real quiet with her, getting good last quarters, and I’ve been wanting to make that move with her that I made tonight, and she showed up.”

Dan Altmeyer trains the winner for Diamond Club Racing, Anthony Capone, Jr., Mark Capone and David Wills.

SKYLINE SEASHELL REPLAY

Insider Trading followed live cover and rolled to a comfortable victory in a career-best 1:56.4 for Anthony MacDonald, trainer Tim Twaddle and owner TheStable Insider Trading Group. Cahira Hanover closed well for second, beaten 1-1/2 lengths, with Freedonia IT third.

INSIDER TRADING REPLAY

“I have all the faith in the world in this filly,” MacDonald said. “She’s always been a little fragile, a little fractious, and tonight for the first time, I saw her put it all together for the whole race.”

$60,000 Robert J. Key — 2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot

In the Adios Eve co-feature, also an Arden Downs Grand Circuit Stake, Honor Guard, Activation and Memorymimagination took the splits, with the MacDonald-Twaddle team doubling up with Activation and Memorynimagination. Also worth noting is the work of the offspring of Father Patrick, who took four of the five stake splits on the program.

Honor Guard appeared to be in a deep hole, a maiden 2-year-old trailing by 5-1/2 lengths at the half. But he picked up live first-over cover and kept on advancing for Dave Palone, drawing off by an eye-popping 6-3/4 lengths in 1:58.3. Viktory Blue Chip and Five Second Rule completed the ticket.

“He has pedigree,” Palone said, “so I figured somewhere along the line he’s either going to show it or not. I let him stretch out up the back side, which was a mistake. He got lost when he was off by himself. Next week I might not let him move to the point so quick.”

Scott Cox conditions the filly for Jason Ash LLC.

Activation led for most of the mile after a contested opening panel, but MacDonald indicated it’s wise to stay busy on the Father Patrick-Repentance gelding.

“He never makes it easy on you, that’s for sure,” MacDonald said. “He won’t run usually, but he makes you work for it every inch of the mile. He’s always in neutral, rarely up into fifth gear. He’ll come on when he’s challenged. He’s just a big goof out there, to be honest.”

Put Option was second, beaten 2-1/2 lengths, while Kill A Word earned show.

Elsewhere on Friday’s card, Jujubee (Creatine-La Cantera), harness racing’s 2021 Trotter of the Year who had been largely silent for the past two seasons, made rather a loud statement when he won the $21,200 Open Handicap Trot in 1:51.1, fastest mile ever trotted at The Meadows. He eclipsed the all-age mark of 1:51.3 held jointly by Tall Cotton, Lifetime Pursuit and Jeffery P.

Hunter Myers guided Jujubee, who now boasts a career bankroll of $1,178,145, for trainer Greg Wright, Jr. and owner Jon Erdner.

Saturday is Adios Day at The Meadows, featuring the $350,000 final of the 57th edition of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids. The blockbuster card also offers five other Grand Circuit stakes as well as a combined $170,000 in pool guarantees. The 16-race program kicks off at 11:45 AM, with the Adios set for race 15.

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

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association