Capping an eventful journey, Throw The Play rallied wide through the lane to score in Wednesday’s Pop Up Series for freshman filly pacers at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Stay Pumped sprang an 11-1 upset in the other $10,000 second-leg split.
In only her second career start, Throw The Play broke soon after the start of the race and ended up eight lengths behind. As she launched a first-over move for Dave Palone, she had to avoid the breaking Southern Sugar, who fell to the track. Her driver, Hunter Myers, landed on his feet and assisted Southern Sugar to hers. Neither appeared seriously injured; Myers, in fact, won the very next race.
Throw The Play, meanwhile, cruised past the field, defeating Americone Dream by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:57.4. Early leader Dry Ridge Ellen completed the ticket.
Mike Hall trains the daughter of Heston Blue Chip-Sports Alert for Let It Ride Stables and Bottom Line Racing LLC.
Throw The Play was the first of seven winners driven by Palone on Wednesday's 12-race card. He also teamed up with Hall for victories with Darby Hanover, Vicious and Canadian Ballet.
There was no drama in the Pop Up Series victory of Stay Pumped, as she zipped to the lead from post six for Aaron Merriman and held off the late challenge of Joy For All by a length in 1:57.3. Made It made it to third.
Randy Bendis trains the daughter of Stay Hungry-Pump My Ride, who broke her maiden, for owners Howard Alexander and Jack Piatt III.
Live harness racing racing at The Meadows continues Thursday when the 12-race program features a $894.36 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race four). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)