Canwood Completes Series Sweep

Published: April 22, 2017 09:20 pm EDT

Canwood used the Lightning Lane to power past her stablemate, Massive Risk, and capture Saturday’s $27,200 championship of the Princess Pablano Trot at The Meadows and seal her sweep of the series.

On the last day of the current meeting, The Meadows hosted the finals of four series for three-year-olds with $107,000 in combined purses. Also collecting championships were Media Buzz, Southwind Yukon and Sapphire Breeze, the latter two giving Dave Palone and trainer Ron Burke a pair of titles.

The Meadows will be dark for the next two weeks, using the break to undertake improvements to the racing surface and paddock. (The track and its Harmar facility will offer simulcast viewing and wagering throughout the hiatus.) Live racing resumes Saturday, May 6, when The Meadows will offer a card — featuring Pennsylvania Sires Stakes and Pennsylvania Stallion Series races worth an estimated $195,000 — to complement its simulcast of the Kentucky Derby. Special Derby Day post time is 11:25 a.m.

A recap of Saturday’s championships:

$27,000 Princess Pablano Trot — Three-Year-Old Fillies

Entering the series, Canwood was a pedestrian 1-8 for her career. But she sparkled when trainer Bill Zendt added Lasix before the first leg, ripping off three straight with a variety of styles.

“It [Lasix] really was a big factor,” said winning driver Brian Zendt. “She wasn’t finishing her miles, and she acted a little sulky sometimes. Now she trots right through the wire. She loves racing off a helmet. She couldn’t wait to by that horse.”

In the championship, she stalked Massive Risk from the pocket before blowing by late and defeating her by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.2, matching her career-best. Miss Da Line, previously undefeated in the series, earned show.

Brian Zendt said Canwood, a daughter of Cantab Hall-Hallywood owned by Judith Wolkomir and Fred Kayne, likely will take a few weeks off before beginning her PASS schedule, although he couldn’t project whether she would compete in Sires Stakes or the Stallion Series.

$28,400 Tamarind Trot — Three-Year-Old Colts & Geldings

Most trainers wince when their horses trail by nine lengths at the half. Steve Bush had a different reaction when he saw Media Buzz in that situation.

“That was our game plan all along,” Bush said. “We didn’t want to get caught up leaving with him. We wanted to duck him and come with him, and we weren’t afraid of three-deeping him. I three-deeped him at the same spot when he was two, and he circled them.”

The Explosive Matter-Lady Bar gelding justified that faith, rallying four-wide through the final turn and scoring in 1:57.1 for Bryce Brocklehurst. Early leader Gee Wizz George was second, one and three-quarter lengths back, with Box Of Luck third.

Bush, who owns Media Buzz with Alvira Fassett and Dennis Fassett, said the $12,000 yearling acquisition will be pointed to stakes engagements primarily in Pennsylvania.

$27,200 Unlocked Pace — Three-Year-Old Colts & Geldings

In the series opening leg, Southwind Yukon led the field into deep stretch when he was out-kicked by Beach House in the Lightning Lane. In the championship, the principals were aligned the same way, but this time, Southwind Yukon held off Beach House by three-quarters of a length to prevail in 1:52.2, a life mark. Dragon Striker earned show.

Palone, who piloted Southwind Yukon some last year for owners Burke Racing Stable, Larry Karr, Richard Suda and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, said the difference this year in the son of Somebeachsomewhere-Southwind Solara is striking.

“I liked this colt a lot last year,” Palone said. “I think Ronnie [Burke] would agree with me that his attitude was a little suspect. Ronnie has done a terrific job of bringing him back this year. He’s really been good about doing his work. The potential is there.”

$24,200 Medusa Pace — Three-Year-Old Fillies

Sapphire Breeze, the 7-5 favourite, appeared to be in trouble. Her stablemate, Emily R Hanover with Mike Wilder aboard, had zipped past her down the backside and opened a three-length lead at the three-quarters. But Palone said that just meant it was time for the daughter of Well Said-Roller Cam to get down to business.

“I thought I’d have my best chance following,” he said. “In the last turn when Mike went to chasing his filly, I was pretty confident because I still had a handful. This is a fast filly.”

Sapphire Breeze poured it on, defeating Terrortina by three and a half lengths in a career-best 1:53.4, while Emily R Hanover saved show.

Burke Racing Stable, Phillip Collura, Michelle Yanek and Weaver Bruscemi campaign Sapphire Breeze.

(The Meadows)

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