World and track records set in PASS Finals

On a day spotlighted by the stars of Pennsylvania harness racing that featured new world and track records, Seven Colors (Stay Hungry) stamped himself as the current second best sophomore pacer on the continent with a track record-equaling score (September 4th) in the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championships on Sunday afternoon (September 3rd) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Under a confident Dexter Dunn drive, Seven Colors, who is now three-for-three since being sold privately, took command after 3/8ths of a mile and never faced a serious challenge on his way to a 1:48.1 clocking that equaled a track record already owned by him and A Rocknroll Dance. Seven Colors was a winner in that identical time in a PASS race this May.

North America Cup winner It’s My Show (Scott Zeron) shot out from the rail for the lead from the rail with next door neighbour Fulton (Andrew McCarthy) dropping into the pocket and Seven Colors floating out for third. After assuming command in front of the stands, Seven Colors cut an unstressed 54.3 half and held a length lead over challenger Ken Hanover (Dave Miller) at the three quarters, timed in 1:21,4

Under no urging down the lane, Seven Colors paced away from It’s My Show, who had every chance but no response for the winner’s 26.2 closing speed. It’s My Show was a clear second, 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner but three lengths ahead of Fulton. Ken Hanover stayed for third.

SEVEN COLORS REPLAY

Winning Colors is now a perfect three-for- three for trainer/owner Andrew Harris and partners Bill Pollock and Bruce Areman since being bought him privately following his second-place finish to division leader Confederate on Hambletonian Day in August.

The $126,000 purse share boosted his lifetime earnings to $1,630 shy of the half million-dollar mark. This was his seventh win in 14 starts this year. He paid $3.80 to win as favorite.

The $50,000 PASS consolation for this division was won by Brue Hanover (Stay Hungry) by a neck over Just Bet It All with Bugaboo Lou finishing third. Yannick Gingras drove the Ron Burke trainee who is owned by Brad Grant. He paid $2.80 as the favorite.

The $252,000 PASS Championship filly pacing division produced a new world record, set by Odds On Hail Mary (Heston Blue Chip). Under brilliant Scott Zeron handling, Odds On Hail Mary pocket popped at the 3/8ths pole and built up an insurmountable lead on route to the 1:48.2 world record for a three-year-old pacing filly on a 5/8ths mile track. She shaded the previous world record set by Kissmeonthebeach at Pocono in 2016.

Early in the mile, Odds On Hail Mary was content to ride in the pocket of Beach Cowgirl (Joe Bongiorno) who was intent on leading and paid the early price to the tune of a 25.4 opening quarter and 54.0 half. Meanwhile favorite Always B Naughty, a winner of 9 of 14 prior to today, was happy to sit fifth and watch the early action.

Heading to the three eighths pole, Zeron deftly popped the pocket and immediately grabbed some lengths as rival Always B Naughty was starting up but still a few lengths back. Zeron continued to urge passing the three quarters in 1:21.4 and in early stretch and Odds On Hail Mary responded and held safe by a length over a determined Always B Naughty. It was several lengths back to My Little Captain in third and Hungry For Love finished fourth.

ODDS ON HAIL MARY REPLAY

Odds On Hail Mary too her fourth win in 11 starts this year for Odds On Racing of Florida. The Linda Toscano trainee has now earned more than $273,000. She paid $7.90 to win as the second choice.

Southwind Icenfire (Betting Line) was victorious by 1/2 length in the $50,000 consolation for this division of sophomore filly pacers as the 2 to 5 favorite over Hello Yes Hi and Proud Mary. In rein to Gingras, the Kevin Lare trainee was winning for owner Frank Chick of Delaware.

The $252,000 PASS Championship final for sophomore colt and gelding trotters also had some speed to showcase with French Wine (Bar Hopping) breaking a track record.

Driven with supreme confidence by co-owner Andy Miller, French Wine was asked for nothing until the three-quarter pole when sent wide by Miller. From there he deployed a “power sweep” as accurately described by track announcer Mike Bozich and flew past the leaders for a 1:51.4 track record and new lifetime best.

Miller wisely took a seat fourth early as Herodutus (Dave Miller), Khaosan Road (Scott Zeron), and Once In A Lifetime (Tim Tetrick) all had designs on making front and battled into the first turn. One the dust settled at the rapid 27.0 opening quarter, Zeron wrestled the lead away from the other two with the eventual winner content to watch them from fourth. Positions did not change as the half was clipped off in 56.1.

As they headed to the three quarters, Once In A Lifetime made a second move first up to challenge with French Wine grabbing his cover. At the 1:23.2 three quarters, Miller could wait no longer, and he showed French Wine open road in the three-wide path. The colt responded with a 28.0 kicker for a two-length win and the track record. Khaosan Road stayed for second and Once In A Lifetime was two lengths further back in third. Herodutus stayed for fourth.

FRENCH WINE REPLAY

In winning for the third time in 10 starts this year, French Wine boosted his winnings to more than $787,000 for Miller’s stable of New Jersey and partner D&J Plouffe of Quebec. The Julie Miller trainee paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.

Sinatra De Vie (Southwind Frank) prevailed in the $50,000 consolation for this division, winning for driver Johnathan Ahle in 1:54.3. Chamba was a game second and Crantini finished third. The winner returned $5.40 as second choice.

In the $252,000 PASS Championship for three-year-old trotting fillies, Railee Something (International Moni) led most of the way then dug deep late for a neck score in 1:53.0.

Making her intent known leaving the gate, favored Railee Something blasted off the wings and pursued first leader Angelpedia (Mike Wilder) until she cleared to the front passing the opening quarter in 26.4. She led unstressed through a solid 55.3 half but would soon come under serious attack from second choice Heaven Hanover (Tim Tetrick), winner of the Hambletonian Oaks in August.

These two rivals would throw down in a hotly contested 28.0 third stanza and reach the three quarters as a team in 1:23.3. Heaven Hanover could not sustain her bid, but Railee Something, responding to Gingras urging, dug deep to hold pylon skimmer Fashion Annie (Andrew McCarthy) safe for the neck win.

It was another neck back to longshot Sheer Faith (Dexter Dunn) who closed down the middle of the track for third, ahead of Cando Volo (George Napolitano). In winning for the sixth time in 12 starts this year, Railee Something pushed her earnings over the half million dollar mark for owner Ronald Mersky of Kentucky. Ron Burke trains the winner who returned $4.10 to her backers.

RAILEE SOMETHING REPLAY

In the $50,000 PASS consolation for three-year-old trotting fillies, Bella Macciato (Bar Hopping) led every step and was never headed as Dexter Dunn steered her to a facile 1:53.2 win for owner/trainer Nancy Takter and partners Black Horse Racing, Christina Takter and Helene Anderberg.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink