Streaking filly, upsetters score in $145,196 PASS

WASHINGTON, PA, May 10, 2024 — Elista Hanover (International Moni-Evermore) charged through the lane and extended her harness racing winning streak to four in Friday’s $145,196 Pennsylvania Sires Stake at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Green Fee and Upallnight Hanover captured the other divisions in the event for 3-year-old filly trotters.

Elista Hanover entered the stake, known as the Meadow Bright, as the “now” horse after her impressive win in the $50,000 Weiss series championship at Pocono. She lived up to the billing, powering first up for David Miller to wear down She Shaq and edge her by a head in 1:53.3. Tracks Of My Tears completed the ticket.

Annie Stoebe, who trains the $240,000 yearling acquisition and owns with R. Lynn Curry and Philomena Curry, likes to joke that the filly, at times can be a “goofy” chestnut, but she was all business Friday for Miller.

“She’s really been behaving well,” he said. “It’s always in the back of your mind that she might get a little silly, but so far, so good. She put in another great race today. She’s been awesome, really.”

ELISTA HANOVER REPLAY

Green Fee (Greenshoe-Hollywood Hill) was a four-race maiden entering the stake, and her recent lines were pocked with breaks. But she moved powerfully first over from fourth for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. and pulled off the 23-1 shocker in 1:56.2. Ihaveadream De Vie was 1/2 length back in second, with Somthintobelievein third.

“She’s a very fast horse. Last week we didn’t quite have her hung up right,” said trainer Kevin Johnson of his faith in Beentheredonethat Racing’s filly. “I figured if Ronnie could keep her flat, she’d get the job done.”

GREEN FEE REPLAY

Dave Palone wasn’t necessarily looking for a Lightning Lane trip for 8-1 Upallnight Hanover (Bar Hopping-Upfront Ob’s Janet), but when the opportunity arose, he seized it.

“That’s never an option until it’s your last option,” Palone said. “Especially with the young ones, I like to go right. But when I headed her in there, she was a total professional.”

The filly edged the rallying Sambuca Hanover by a head, with early leader Little Town Road third. Upallnight Hanover recorded a lifetime mark of 1:54.4 and boosted her career bankroll to $110,475 for trainer Ake Svanstedt and owner Journey Horses Inc.

UPALLNIGHT HANOVER REPLAY

With the victory, Palone surpassed $160 million in career purses.

$80,000 PA Stallion Series — 3-Year-Old Filly Trotters

PJ’s Dream (Greenshoe), Ciao Time (Possess The Will), Wish List (Bar Hopping), and Dubai (Father Patrick) each took a split in Friday’s sub-feature.

Dubai had only a pair of qualifiers since Nov. 20, but she had little trouble rolling first over from third to triumph in a career-best 1:54.2 for Palone, trainer Noel Daley and owner Fred Hertrich III. Happy Chopper was second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, while Standin Over earned show.

“I wanted to track the favorite and not move until I had to,” Palone said. “And when I put her in the fight going into the last turn, I felt like she would win the battle. She had a great attitude, her ears were working, I took the plugs out, and the rest is history.”

Aaron Merriman and Palone each piloted three winners on the 13-race card.

Dirk Simpson ranks third in this year’s trainer standings at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. The question before the house was, would he be as effective in his very first start in the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) in its $10,000 leg Friday at The Meadows?

The answer was a resounding yes as Simpson moved Unbeatable Kemp first over from fourth, and the 5-year-old Walner-Credit To Elgin gelding rolled to a 4-length victory in 1:55.4. In fact, the only adversity Simpson faced was heckling from a couple wise guys, Brady Brown and Jeremy Indof, whom Simpson frequently uses as catch drivers.

Stephen Oldford (Holton), Larry Ferrari (Golden Compass) and Tom Svrcek (Get Some Cash) rounded out the ticket.

Simpson, who also trains Unbeatable Kemp, said he’s been working hard to get him past recent breaking issues.

“He’s just real grabby; he was even grabby today,” Simpson said. “He’s over-anxious — that’s the main trouble. We put a jaw cord on him today, and we’ve been giving him more time on the back track and in the pasture.”

UNBEATABLE KEMP REPLAY

Unbeatable Kemp now has earned $119,426 for owner Dirk Simpson Stables Inc.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Saturday, first post 12:45 PM.

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

by Evan Pattak, for the MSOA