Fresh from eight days of focused R&R following two major disappointments, Big Bad John returned to the racing wars with renewed vigor Saturday at The Meadows when he captured a division of a $210,234 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes in a stakes-record 1:49.2
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The event for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers, known as the Tarport Effrat, was conducted over three divisions, with Real Special and Mystic Desire — both piloted by Dave Palone — taking the other $70,078 splits.
One of the tops in his class, Big Bad John was sent off as the favourite in the $1.5 million final of the Pepsi North America Cup and the $500,000 Hoosier Cup, but finished fifth in each, prompting trainer Ron Potter to ship him to Kesmarc in Lexington for rehab.
“He was a little sick at Mohawk and got roughed up at Hoosier, but there wasn’t anything really wrong with him,” Potter said. “We decided to get him away from the track. He had treadmill water therapy, and we put him in and oxygen chamber. We trained him twice, and here we are."
Although he was bet down to 3-10 in the Tarport Effrat, the race was no gimme as Big Bid John, caught in a backside traffic jam, was swooped by Keystone Velocity. But the son of Western Hanover-Trulyawork Of Art responded to Brett Miller’s urging and rallied to down the game Keystone Velocity by a length. His time erased the stakes record of 1:50.1 held jointly by Aracache Hanover and Panesthetic, and equalled the fastest mile this year by a sophomore colt on a five-eighths-mile track.
Winchester Baye Acres owns Big Bad John, who isn’t eligible for the Delvin Miller Adios but may be pointed to a $50,000 Open on the July 30 card of the Adios final followed by the Oliver Wendell Holmes at the Meadowlands.
Real Special punched his ticket to the Adios by making the front with a quarter-pole move and drawing off to score in 1:50.2. Pan From Nantucket was second, four and three-quarter lengths back, with The Pepperoni Kid third.
“He’s so drivable and he’s so quick you can do anything you want with him,” Palone said. “He didn’t have to be on the point. It just felt like the thing to do. His versatility makes him a nice horse. I hope he can step up to the Adios. It’s exciting to have one sharp going into the race, and it’s an advantage for him to have been over the track a couple times.”
Trainer Ron Burke recently purchased Real Special, a son of Real Desire-Treasure The Best, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and M1 Stable.
Palone hustled Mystic Desire to the pocket behind Jolts Virtue, and the son of Real Desire-Cannes Festival blew by in the lane to defeat that rival by four lengths in 1:50.4. On The Radar completed the ticket.
“I really didn’t want to be in the two-hole, but we were sailing along pretty good,” Palone said. “I was hoping staying in wasn’t the wrong move. All I needed was room. I took a chance staying in, but it will make him better next week, wherever he’s going.”
Ross Croghan trains Mystic Desire, who soared over $400,000 in career earnings, for Let It Ride Stables, Robert Cooper Stables, Jerry Silva and Dana Parham.
In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace, Jojo N Goliath used a strong second-over bid to fashion a 1:51.1 victory for Miller, trainer Paul Kennedy and owners Daniel and Thomas Courtemanche. The five-year-old Keystone Raider-Jo Jo Cadet gelding now boasts $355,658 in lifetime earnings. Pedro Island was a neck back in second while early leader Biletnikoff saved show.
Back To The Track Features Fun, Prizes & Miller Time
“Back to the Track 2011” on a sun-soaked Saturday at The Meadows featured a Fun Zone for kids, prize drawings and a barbecue for all fans and “Miller Time,” as J.C. Miller, Jr. and Jordon Miller teamed to produce the best finish in a father-son race.
Presented by the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association and The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Back to the Track 2011 was a festive day that also served an important purpose, as drivers in four special races donated their earnings to three local charities: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Western Pennsylvania, the Washington County Humane Society and the Magee Women’s Hospital Breast Cancer Program.
Each special race offered an elevated purse of $10,000 to increase donations to beneficiaries.
Spread over two divisions, the Father & Son Driving Battle featured nine father-son duos. J.C. Miller, Jr. crossed the wire second with Putter, beaten a nose by Wingenuity, who was disqualified for a pylon violation. That placing, coupled with Jordon Miller’s fourth with Skater Boy A, gave the Millers the best combined finish.
“I had the favourite; that helps,” J.C. Miller, Jr. said. “My strategy was to come with him when everyone got settled. He just battled it out. Sometimes I can keep them alive a long while. I’m happy my son’s doing so well. He just needs to drive better horses.”
Brian Zendt won the second division with Traczar by following the cover provided by — who else? — his father, Bill Zendt.
“That plan looked good from the program, although it doesn’t always work out that way,” Brian Zendt said. “But Dad looked like the one to follow.”
Other participating duos were Rodney and Kyle Bolon; Harold and Bryce Brocklehurst; Lanny and Aaron Merriman; Charlie and Chas Norris; Doug Snyder and Doug Snyder, Jr.; Buddy and Tyler Stillings; Greg Wright and Greg Wright, Jr.
Moneyball hadn’t seen the lead in any of his last four races, but Naquel Harvey persuaded the nine-year-old gelding to trot to the front and stay there in the Female Driving Faceoff.
“He was up on the bit and felt like he wanted to go,” she said. “Nobody inside me looked to go, so I figured I would and get good position. He trotted all the way to the wire.”
Rachel Kaneoka was second with The Felton Queen while Jamie Coffy and TCs Big Cat Daddy were third. Amateur Driver Challenge
Rick Beinhauer has owned, trained or driven such top performers as Sierra Kosmos, Springtop and Spring Melody, but when he guided Stiletto to an easy front-end victory Saturday, he still got a rush.
“It always feels great to win,” Beinhauer said. “That feeling never changes. Stiletto is a class old horse. He’s gone a lot of tough miles, but he wants to win. You can’t give a horse heart, and he’s got it.”
Completing the ticket were Bill Bercury with Rio Sweet and Brent Davis with Must Be Psychic.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday when the card features a $120,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake for freshman colt and gelding trotters and a $5,000-guaranteed pool for the Pick 4 spanning Races 12-15. First post is 12:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)