Washington, PA --- Hasty Pulse, a stakes winner at first asking, continued her progression on Wednesday (July 14) at The Meadows as she captured a division of a $298,316 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for 2-year-old filly pacers in 1:53.2, equaling the stakes record.
The event, known as the Sand Tart, was conducted over six divisions, with Whatrugonnado, Nutmegs Yankee, Safe Bet Hanover, Show And Tell and Hi Maintenancechic taking the other splits. Eric Ledford enjoyed a stakes driving double with Whatrugonnado and Hi Maintenancechic.
Hasty Pulse, a daughter of Quik Pulse Mindale-Hasty Dewar who launched her career with a pocket-sitting victory in the Reynolds at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, took matters into her own hands in the Sand Tart, scoring wire-to-wire for Dave Palone. Her time matched the stakes record set by Ginger And Fred in 2008 and equaled the fastest mile this year by a freshman filly pacer on a five-eighths-mile track. The pocket-sitting Mothermayi Hanover was 2-3/4 lengths back in second, with I’m Sooo Hot third.
“She has a good attitude and a nice way of going,” said Ron Burke, who trains Hasty Pulse for Winbak Farm. “So far, the Quik Pulse Mindales look like they’ll be quality. It looks like something I would have held against her is actually a bonus.”
Whatrugonnado, second in a Debutante split at the Meadowlands in her career debut, took control early but had to thwart a stern challenge from Fashion Ecstasy to down that rival by a half-length in 1:53.4. Rhea Nourrir earned show money.
“She acts like she could be a top filly,” said Roland Mallar, who trains the homebred daughter of Allamerican Native-Are You Sure for Anatolia Racing Stable. “She’s good to work around in the paddock. She’s professional, like an older horse, and she acts like she has some guts.”
Nutmegs Yankee has been a handful for trainer Brian Brown, who could only marvel as he ticked off the lengthy list of equipment she wears to keep her straight and honest.
“A steering bit, a Murphy blind, two head poles, a Pelling pacifier taped on the inside so she can only see straight ahead,” Brown said. “It’s been a war all winter and spring just trying to get her to go straight. She’s always shown she’s been fast. I think in another year she’ll be okay. She does need to grow up. I don’t think it’s necessarily soreness. I think it’s more in her mind.”
It all clicked in the Sand Tart, as Brett Miller guided Nutmegs Yankee to a second-over triumph in 1:54.4. Career Hanover was a neck back in second, with Foxy Lady third. Irving Bork owns the daughter of Real Desire-Salty Yankee.
Hokie Spirit wins fastest Pa Stallon Series split
Hokie Spirit, racing confidently with her new blinkers, won for the sixth time in eight 2010 starts as she captured the fastest division of a $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake for 3-year-old filly pacers.
The event was contested over five divisions, with Do Me First, Sugarcoated, Princessofdarkness and Mano Cornuto taking the other splits. Mike Wilder fashioned a stakes driving double with Hokie Spirit and Princessofdarkness.
Hokie Spirit donned blinkers for her last outing, a Stallion Series victory at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Wilder indicated the new equipment complements her gameness.
“She really responded well to the blinkers,” Wilder said. “Not that she ever raced bad, but we just switched her up. When she can see a horse coming at her, she really bears down.”
On Wednesday, Hokie Spirit made a decisive quarter-pole move and scored in 1:53.2, three lengths better than Free Fi Girl. RM Morning Sunshine was a rallying third. Dan Altmeyer trains Hokie Spirit, a homebred daughter of Dragon Again-Yankee Fresca, for Ron Mersky.
Do Me First was winless in 11 races at 2, prompting trainer Al Tomlinson to adjust her shoeing.
“Whatever we did, it’s working,” Tomlinson said. “I don’t know if she’s sires stake material, but she fits the Stallion Series. I’ll probably try to give her a start before the next Stallion Series stake.”
On Wednesday, she found late racing room and brushed by early leader O Lucky Me to down that rival by a length in 1:53.4, her third win in her last five outings. Discoverer finished third. Tomlinson and Engle Equine own the daughter of Allamerican Ingot-Do Me Right.
Sugarcoated trailed by four lengths at the half when Ray Paver sent her on a determined uncovered bid. She kept right on pacing, scoring in 1:54.2. Farouche Hanover was second, three lengths in arrears, with Carrie Ann third.
“I let all those guys in front of me, thinking somebody would pop out,” Paver said. “I realized going down the backside nobody was coming. But I had her for a couple starts earlier this year, and I knew she could get home.”
Ray Schnittker trains the daughter of The Panderosa-Town Sweetheart for Steve Jones.