Newborn Sassy extended her winning streak to six with an effortless victory in Wednesday’s $93,800 Keystone Classic at The Meadows. Cut And Paste captured the other division of the event for freshman filly pacers, giving Tim Tetrick a stakes sweep.
Although Newborn Sassy began her career with a pair of losses, Tetrick was aboard for her debut and was impressed.
“She’s the top two-year-old pacing filly that I’ve driven this year,” Tetrick said. “We liked her all along. First time I sat behind her, I thought she had talent, but was a little green. She’s really come along well.”
Since then, the daughter of Western Ideal-Sass Newton has won every outing, taking her mark of 1:51.1 in a Pennsylvania Sires Stakes at The Meadows. In the Keystone Classic, she coasted home on the lead in 1:53.1, downing Catharsis by seven and a quarter lengths, with Vorst third.
Jim King Jr., who conditions Newborn Sassy and owns with CC Racing, said she remains eligible for the Matron, which, for the first time, will limit its field to the top money-winners.
“I’m not sure if she’ll go. You don’t know who’ll go on and who’ll win what,” King said. “I’d hate to train her for five weeks and be Also Eligible.”
Cut And Paste cruised on the front end in 1:54.4 after Tetrick gave her a leisurely :58.3 front half on the point.
“We got good fractions, and my filly really sprinted off,” Tetrick said. “She’s really quick off the wings and really handy.”
The daughter of Well Said-On The Arm scored in 1:54.4, three and a quarter lengths better than the pocket-sitting Danika P. She Devil Rusty rallied for show.
Linda Toscano conditions Cut And Paste for Stake Your Claim Stable, Camelot Stable and Fred Wallace.
In the co-feature on Wednesday’s program, Hot Curry, Casey T and Twice A Night — nary a favourite among them — each took a split of the $100,798 Keystone Classic for two-year-old filly trotters.
A nine-race maiden entering the stakes, Hot Curry had little trouble overtaking the 1-6 selection, Lookin Sharp, in the lane and prevailing in 1:57.2 for Dave Palone, trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Crawford Farms, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Larry Karr. My Pink Bike followed the winner’s cover for second, one and three-quarter lengths back, while Lookin Sharp saved show.
“She’s actually a sweetheart, but she’s had bad luck here and there,” Palone said of the daughter of Muscle Massive-Spiceberry Hanover. “I thought the race would play out for her. Speed hasn’t been any good, and I thought she’d be able to tag along behind the favourite.”
Casey T blew by Windowshopper in the stretch and defeated her by two lengths for Brian Zendt in a career-best 1:58.1. Grace N Vanity earned show. The win marked a return to form for the homebred daughter of Madison River-Gia after a series of break-marred efforts.
“It was mostly soreness,” said Todd Rooney, who trains Casey T and owns with Foge McKeever and Elden Thompson. “She was right on the edge of needing to be shut down, but we were able to keep her patched together. When we got her good, we decided to keep her going for this race. I think she’ll be a nice three-year-old. I have a Chapter Seven half-brother to her going to the Lexington Sale.”
When Twice A Night jumped it off at the start, she figured to be racing for education only. But the race turned into a break-fest — 1-5 favourite Twill Be Done made an unforced error on the lead; Ginny Weasley did the same after inheriting the lead — Twice A Night was back in the hunt. She took maximum advantage, triumphing in 1:59.2. Candelaria Deo was second, a half-length in arrears, while I Luv Blackhawkred completed the ticket.
“She was not herself today,” said winning driver Jackie Ingrassia, who owns the daughter of Donato Hanover-Working Girl with Arden Homestead Stable. “She was very antsy and tough in the paddock, kicking the walls. I didn’t think she would get back in the race at all. Even without the breakers, I think she would have been right there because she was loaded with trot finishing.”
Frank Ingrassia trains Twice A Night.
Friday’s card at The Meadows features a pair of Keystone Classics for two-year-old colts and geldings — a $122,800 trot and a $108,000 pace. First post is 12:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)