Billy Flynn powered through the 'lightning lane' to remain undefeated and score in 1:56.4, fastest winner in Tuesday afternoon’s Pennsylvania Sires Stakes at The Meadows.
The event for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters, known as the Hickory Pride, was contested over five divisions, with Special Action, Lima Pride Honor And Serve, and Piercewave Hanover taking the other splits.
Dave Palone enjoyed a stake triple (Special Action, Honor and Serve, Piercewave Hanover), among his seven wins on the 16-race card.
Billy Flynn was named for the fictional lawyer Billy Flynn from the play and film Chicago, a smoothie portrayed by such actors as Richard Gere and Jerry Ohrbach who croons, “All I care about is love.” All the equine Billy Flynn cares about is winning, beginning his career with victories in the PA All Stars and the PASS. Trainer Staffan Lind and owner Bender Sweden Inc. need the son of Cantab Hall-Zeta Jones (she also a hit in the Chicago movie) to be a superstar; they gave $120,000 for him as a yearling.
“From Day 1, when I’ve trained him, he just waited for me to ask him to go a little faster,” Lind said. “I know he will do everything he can. He’s a big, strong horse with a very nice gait.”
In the PASS, Billy Flynn squeezed through inside for Brett Miller to down Centurion ATM by three-quarters of a length, with Uncle Lasse third. Lind said Billy Flynn may race next week in the Arden Downs stake during Adios Week at The Meadows.
Special Action launched his career inauspiciously, breaking stride in the PA All Stars. On Tuesday, he followed cover beautifully, prevailing in 1:57.3. Hurrikane Jonny K was second, with Ralph R third.
“He’s a nice horse — I like him,” said Jimmy Takter, who trains the homebred son of Yankee Glide-Special Appeal for Brittany Farms. “His potential? Your guess is as good as mine. But that was a good mile today; he came a good last half.”
Lima Pride, a 20-1 bomber, found fortune around the final turn when both the leader, The Bank, and the looming challenger, Soboro Hanover, broke stride. Lima Pride took full advantage, breaking his maiden in 1:58.1. On The Sly was second, while Vintage Hall completed the ticket.
“I think he had a good chance even if they don’t break,” said winning driver Ake Svanstedt, who trains the son of Muscle Massive-Pacific Legacy for Top Ten Racing Stable. “He’s a strong horse. The other horses were slipping, but he handled it.”
In the $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, Trustworthy Kid moved second over to victory in 1:54.1 over Tall Cotton, with Kirty Dream third.
Brian Zendt drove for trainer Walter ‘Boots’ Dunn and owner Dunn Stable. The five-year-old SJs Caviar-Penn Worthy Lane gelding now boasts career earnings of $237,036.
Wednesday’s card at The Meadows features a $120,000 PA Stallion Series stake for freshman filly pacers. First post is 12:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)