Broadway Donna and Whitelake Hanover remain unbeaten — they’re a combined 13-13 lifetime — following wins in Tuesday’s Pennsylvania Sires Stake action for freshman filly trotters at The Meadows.
The event, known as the Delmonica Hanover, was contested over four divisions, with Kathy Parker and Womans Will taking the other splits. Though the luck of the draw has kept Broadway Donna and Whitelake Hanover apart, the two are set for a showdown in the PASS championship September 11 at The Meadows, which that day will host all four $260,000 (est) finals for two-year-olds.
Asked to compare Broadway Donna and Whitelake Hanover, David Miller, who regularly pilots both and did so in the Delmonica Hanover, said the following: “They’re pretty similar, really. They’re both real handy. They’re pretty even, to tell you the truth. Whitelake is probably a little quicker off the gate, but Donna makes up for it. She can race either way.
“I was thinking how lucky I’ve been — four legs and they never met up. Usually when I have a couple nice ones, they all get in together. I’ll have to pick one, but it’s a nice problem to have.”
Although both fillies won easily, Broadway Donna’s victory may have been more impressive visually. After some early jockeying for the lead, she powered to the front near the quarter and drew off to triumph by nine and a quarter lengths in 1:55.2, a tick off the stakes record. Winning Symbol and Lookin Sharp completed the ticket.
“She knows what she has to do, and she goes out there and does it,” said Jim Campbell, who conditions the homebred daughter of Donato Hanover-Broadway Schooner for Fashion Farms. “As I’ve said, she’s a real professional.”
With her seventh consecutive win, Broadway Donna boosted her career bankroll to $291,036.
Whitelake Hanover forged ahead by five lengths at the quarter and coasted home from there, prevailing by two and a quarter lengths in 1:56.1. Maker A Yankee rallied for second, with Dancing In Thehall a ground-saving third. Chris Oakes trains the daughter of Explosive Matter-Whispering Wind, who completed her sweep of the four PASS preliminary legs, for Omar Belier, Dennis Coons and Susan Oakes.
A nose loser to Broadway Donna in the $389,450 final of the James Doherty Memorial, Kathy Parker gave the undefeated fillies something to think about when she scored for Yannick Gingras in 1:56.3 to extend her career bankroll to $171,598. She was second by one and a half lengths down the backside, but Kathy Parker blue-penciled that margin when she pulled the pocket early to challenge the leader, Gracie Hanover.
“The horse on the front looked a little ‘grabby’ early on,” Gingras said. “I figured it wouldn’t help either one of us if I moved earlier than that. At that point, it was time to go. I didn’t want to have to move her into the last turn if somebody else came. I figured it was the best place to do it. She’s right up there with the best ones.”
Synonymous Hanover was second, a length behind, while Gracie Hanover saved show. Jimmy Takter conditions Kathy Parker, a daughter of Andover Hall-Mallelujah, for Christina Takter, Brixton Medical, RAW Equine and Joyce McClelland.
Elsewhere on the card, it was her initial appearance in the $18,000 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, but Dough Dough rose to the occasion, stalking Mistress Valentine from the pocket and downing her by a neck in 1:55.1. Kandian Club finished third.
Dick Stillings drove the five-year-old daughter of CR Excalibur-Rising Dough, who vaulted over $100,000 in career earnings, for trainer J.W. Miller and owner/breeder En Mar Stable. The race featured even more dough, as the winner’s half sister, Ciao Dough, finished fourth.
Aaron Merriman and Miller each fashioned a three-bagger on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)