The Meadows: Adioo Volo headlines Adios Day undercard events

A number of Grand Circuit events, including the $102,355 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for 3-year-old pacing fillies, took place on the Adios undercard on Saturday at The Meadows.

In the Adioo Volo, Galleria Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) grabbed the lead before the 27 second opening quarter, but she would be overtaken by Lyons Serenity (Jordan Stratton) after that marker. Lyons Serenity then yielded to stablemate and heavily-favored Captain Cowgirl (Tim Tetrick) passing the 54 2/5 half.

After Captain Cowgirl took charge, Lock Bridge (Todd McCarthy) attacked first-up out of the fifth spot, but her bid would stall out in second heading to the 1:22 three-quarters. Following Lock Bridge's advance from second-over was Sweet Kisses (Yannick Gingras), and Gingras would send the 34-1 shot three-wide late on the last turn.

Captain Cowgirl turned for home first, but was under heavy urging and looked vulnerable, and taking advantage was Sweet Kisses, who brushed past her to get the victory by a length in 1:50 flat. Galleria Hanover had to settle for third after getting shuffled back on the inside during the middle-half.

"When we straightened, I saw Timmy was chasing his pretty good, so I thought we had a shot," he said. "She's been getting better and better. Ronnie (Burke) told me to give her a shot - she's ready."

The victorious Sweet Lou filly is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, Knox Services Inc., and Phil Collura. Sweet Kisses made her seventh stop in the winner's circle in 13 trips behind the gate, pushed her bankroll to $118,077, and returned $70.60 to win.

$60,400 Roy Davis 2YO C&G Pace (Three divisions)

While Tetrick, trainer Jim King Jr., and owner Threelyonsracing had to settle for second in the Adioo Volo, they won two of the three Roy Davis splits with Lyons Surfing and Lyons Stealth.

Lyons Surfing came out of the pocket to take over the lead from Crown Of Thorns (Gingras) on the final bend in the first $20,000 grouping and drew off powerfully to win by seven lengths over Poseidon Deo (McCarthy) in 1:53 2/5. Captain Awesome (David Miller) was third. Lyons Stealth raced in the second $20,000 section and won by a length and three-quarters in 1:54 after he put up stations of 28 3/5, 58 3/5, and 1:26 3/5. Sweet Chilli Heat (McCarthy) was next, followed by Flite Craft (Mike Wilder).

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and a $110,000 purchase at the 2021 Standardbred Horse Sale, Lyons Surfing is a Stay Hungry-Surfside Sexy colt. He broke his maiden in his third try and has now put away $20,655. He paid $2.90 to win as the 4-5 favorite.

"I think he's destined to be back here on this date next year (for the Adios)," King Jr. said of Lyons Surfing. "I like him a lot; I don't think he's come anywhere close to his potential yet, and he doesn't seem to have any issues. I've been pretty kind on him.

"Gotta try for the Adios. I never had me one of those. Gotta bring two next year."

Lyons Stealth, a Sweet Lou-Zane Hanover colt, was bred by Ryan Smith and fetched $85,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. He has won all three of his attempts, has banked $30,000, and returned $2.20 to win as the 1-9 choice.

The last $20,400 Davis division saw New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Voukefalas (Stratton) brush from fourth to first on the way to the 1:24 3/5 three-quarters and stay in front from there to score by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:53 2/5. South Point (Tetrick), who led at the 26 3/5 quarter and 56 3/5 half, wound up second, and King Jr.-trained Tennessee Strong (Aaron Merriman) collected third.

By Lazarus and out of the Cams Fortune mare Inittowinafortune, Voukefalas, trained by Michael Russo for owner/breeder Michael Pagonas, has now won twice in three starts. He has earnings of $137,400 and paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favorite.

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$35,698 James Manderino 3YO C&G Trot

Guido Di (Brady Brown) led through fractions of 27 3/5, 57, and 1:25 2/5 and won the Manderino by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:53 4/5. Rose Run Xtra (Chris Page) was the runner-up from the pocket and Andoverthewinnings (David Miller) finished third.

"I got into him a little bit in the last turn just to get him in gear and get him to sprint away," said winning driver Brady Brown. "After that, it was all him. He was impressive in his last start, so I was pretty confident with him going into the race."

A Wishing Stone gelding bred by Rick and Regina Beinhauer, Guido Di is trained by Steve Schoeffel for owners Virginia Schoeffel Kathy Schoeffel, Lewis Falton, and Sara Zidek. Guido Di won for the eighth time in 18 career starts, he has now earned $161,950, and he returned $5.00 to win as the 3-2 co-favorite.

$35,160 Mary Lib Miller 2YO Filly Pace

Ambushed (McCarthy) got to the top from post eight nearing the 27 2/5 opening quarter, and after posting middle-half fractions of 55 4/5 and 1:24 2/5, she sprinted home in 28 1/5 to defeat pocket-sitter Nevertellmetheodds (Merriman) by a length and three-quarters in 1:52 3/5. Calliope Hanover (Hunter Myers) finished third.

Now with three wins and two seconds in five outings, Ambushed was bred by Steve Jones and is trained by Hunter Oakes for owners D Racing Stable Inc. and Donald MacRae. Taken out of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $27,000, Ambushed has put $44,080 in the bank and paid $4.80 to win as the 7-5 co-favorite.

$32,323 Ned McNarr 3YO Filly Trot

Dreamonhigh (McCarthy), who won the PA Sire Stakes Championship at The Meadows as a 2-year-old, dominated her foes as the 1-9 favorite in the McCarr, taking command at the 29 1/5 opening quarter and romping to a nine length victory in 1:54, a stakes record clocking. Sabrina Hill (Aaron Merriman) was next, followed by Blue Skies Shining.

"We got to float around there pretty cheap and she raced very well," said McCarthy. "She's a little green still, she's maturing, and she was very well behaved today. She's a classy little filly."

Per Engblom trains Dreamonhigh, a daughter of Andover Hall bred by Amos Lengacher, for owner K A T Stables LLC. She has compiled a record of 6-4-0 from 15 attempts, has now pocketed $317,770, and returned $2.10 to win.

--quotes from the MSOA--