Defending Dan Patch Award winner Geocentric kicked off her sophomore campaign in worker-like fashion, knifing through the slop to score in 1:51.1 in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (PASS) at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Friday, May 17. Pass And Stow and Rocket Deo captured the other two divisions for three-year-old filly pacers.
When trainer Brian Brown was speculating a few days before the race about what his perfect trip would look like, he described it as a “win without paying a big price.” The trip unfolded as if Brown had drawn it up.
The 1-5 favourite in her $68,047 PASS division, Geocentric, shot to the lead at the quarter for Tim Tetrick and never faced pressure thereafter, winning for the 10th time in 11 career outings. Sweet Gal was second, 1-3/4 lengths back, with Asweetbeachhere third.
“That was the perfect race to start one out with,” said Brown. “I wish it hadn’t been sloppy, but we can’t have everything. I think we’ll tighten her head pole a little. She put in a step in the first turn and got to running in.”
Brown indicated Geocentric will next race in the Fan Hanover at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Milton Leeman, Alan Keith, Jim Stambaugh and Joe Sbrocco campaign the daughter of Sweet Lou-Geometry, who now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $590,274.
Pass And Stow hadn’t led until the last call in any of her six most recent races, yet Aaron Merriman, who had never driven her before, decided the point is where she belonged. The daughter of Betting Line-OK Heavenly rolled to an easy front-end victory in a stakes and career-best 1:50.4. Melmar Melmar finished second, beaten two lengths, while Whassup Hanover completed the ticket with her four-race winning streak snapped.
“She was very good in her last start at Woodbine Mohawk,” said Merriman. “She was super, steered straight. I don’t know how many times she’s cut miles, but she did today.”
Anthony Beaton conditions Pass And Stow for West Wins Stable and Mark Dumain.
Rocket Deo was riding the bumper of Breeders Crown champion My Girl EJ, who had been hard used to get the lead in their division. Did Andrew McCarthy think the daughter of Captaintreacherous-Rocklamation had a chance to kick by her more celebrated rival?
“I just needed to get out,” said McCarthy. “I had plenty of go — just needed some room and let the big girl pace. She’s very slick, very powerful.”
Rocket Deo did kick by, downing My Girl EJ by a length in 1:51.1, a new life mark, with Donegal Spirit third.
Brett Pelling trains Rocket Deo for Morrison Racing Stables and John Fielding.
Classic Crunch, Parkavanue Lisa, Direction and Davenport each took a $20,000 division of the Pennsylvania Stallion Series for three-year-old filly pacers, with Pelling enjoying a double (Direction and Davenport), giving him three wins over the day’s stakes.
Classic Crunch lost the first nine starts of her career before breaking her maiden last week at Harrah’s Philadelphia. To some, the daughter of Captain Crunch-Classic Star may have appeared overmatched. But not to Dexter Dunn.
“She was really good,” said Dunn, who prevailed for trainer Chris Ryder and owner Ruari McNulty. "That’s the first time I sat behind her, but I think she’s probably a little stronger than she was last year. That was a solid mile for her. She gave me a good feel.”
Classic Crunch triumphed in a career-best 1:51, 2-1/2 lengths ahead of Capytreach. Sweet Illusion earned show.
Saturday’s Preakness Day live card at The Meadows begins at the special time of 11:30 a.m. and features a pair of carryovers: $2,910.13 in the Early Pick 4 (Race 1) and $1,238.39 in the Pick 5 (Race 10).
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)