The Meadows: Big Oil, Amigo Volo capture PA Sire Stakes splits
Big Oil and Amigo Volo, both sons of Father Patrick, ended the month of August on a high note by scoring victories in the two Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters that were the featured races on Monday afternoon's program at The Meadows.
Without a triumph since the Pennsylvania All-Stars on July 11 at Pocono, Big Oil got back to his winning ways from earlier this summer with a 1:53 performance in the first $94,166 grouping. Driven by Andy Miller, Big Oil watched from third as King Alphonso (Ake Svanstedt) worked his way around Chestnut Hill (David Miller) for the top spot after a 27 1/5 first quarter. King Alphonso maintained the lead over to the 56 3/5 half-mile point, but Big Oil came with a big brush as the field raced in the backstretch for the second time, and he was able to get around King Alphonso passing the 1:24 4/5 three-quarters.
While Big Oil was making his advance, David Miller was able to squeeze Chestnut Hill out two-wide to get around the fading King Alphonso, and he reassumed the second position while racing on the rim around the last turn. Big Oil turned for home first and was clear in doing so, but was under persistent urging through the lane while Chestnut Hill continued to edge closer. The wire came up in time for Big Oil to get the lion's share of the purse, though, as he held sway to prevail by a nostril. Hell Patrol (Mattias Melander) closed from sixth to third in the final panel.
"He's got the ability if we can get him right; he showed that last year, and he showed a couple flashes this year," Andy Miller said. "Hopefully, he's on the upswing. He has a lot of big races left."
Julie Miller trains the victorious colt for co-owners/breeders Jason and Douglas Allen and co-owner Ronald Allen. This was Big Oil's fifth win from 15 career starts, and he has now earned $201,016. He was sent off at 5-1 and paid $12.60 to win.
Amigo Volo has had an up-and-down 3-year-old season after winning the Dan Patch Award for top rookie male trotter a year ago, but he was strong today, taking the other $94,566 section in 1:53 3/5. Driver Dexter Dunn put Amigo Volo on the lead from post three, and the gelding fronted his six foes through stations of 28 2/5, 58 1/5, and 1:25 4/5. Amigo Volo blunted a first-up try by Hillexotic (Trond Smedshammer) in that quick third quarter, and a 27 4/5 final kicker turned out the lights on the others, with Amigo Volo scoring by 2 1/4 lengths. Hillexotic did hold second, with Patriarch Hanover (Matt Kakaley) back in third from second-over.
"He might have been a little flat last week, the week after the Hambo, but he was very sharp today," Dunn said.
Pinske Stables and David J. Miller own the Nifty Norman-trained Amigo Volo. From 20 career tries, Amigo Volo now has a record of 9-2-2, and he has pocketed $820,719. He was the even-money favorite and returned $4.00 to win.
--quotes courtesy of The Meadows--