The Meadows: Dazzling debut for Captain Corey in PA Sire Stakes

Although In Range and Type A were also impressive in their respective victories, it was Captain Corey who stole the show in the trio of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Monday afternoon at The Meadows as he won in a track record clocking of 1:54 1/5 in his first pari-mutuel start.

Driven by trainer Ake Svanstedt in the second $69,307 flight, Captain Corey moved out of the pocket past the 29 second opening quarter to take command away from early leader Tart Tongue (Joe Bongiorno). After reaching the half in a leisurely 58 2/5, the tempo quickened to 1:26 1/5 at three-quarters, with Captain Corey well in control. Captain Corey continued to run up the score around the far turn and through the lane as well, kicking home in 28 seconds flat to win by 4 1/4 lengths and etch his name in the record books at The Meadows. Plumville Prince (Scott Zeron) advanced from fifth to second in the last quarter, with Tart Tongue third.

"He got home very well in his qualifiers," Svanstedt said. "He's a huge horse. I think he's one of the best young horses I've ever trained. He's staked everywhere."

A $150,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale buy last year, Captain Corey is by Googoo Gaagaa and is owned by S R F Stable, Knutsson Trotting Inc., and Midnight Sun Partners Inc. Captain Corey, who was bred by Carter Duer, baby raced twice at the Meadowlands, finishing second to stablemate Ambassador Hanover (who went on to capture a New York Sire Stakes event at Yonkers) and then rallying to win on July 3 in 1:55 1/5. Captain Corey is the first foal out of the Angus Hall mare Luv U All, a half-sister to Deadliest Catch (Chocolatier, 1:53 2/5, $184,175 and Love U Overandover (Andover Hall, 1:55 2/5, $152,960). Captain Corey was the 4-5 favorite and paid $3.80 to win.

Back in the opening $69,707 sire stakes tilt, In Range (Tim Tetrick) went first-over out of third going to the 59 second half-mile marker and moved up to the outside of leader Southern Mazzarati (Yannick Gingras) at the 1:28 3/5 three-quarters. In Range forged his way into the top spot on the final bend, moved back to the cones, and went on to win by a length and a half over Bacardi (Marcus Miller) in a 1:57 1/5 mile. Fly Light (Svanstedt) was the third-place finisher.

"When I moved him, he marched right up there and did the job right." Tetrick said. "It's still a game to him; he's out there playing around. But every time I talk to him he's got more speed, so I'm very happy with him."

In Range, from the first crop of Bar Hopping, is now two-for-two in his brief career after also capturing a Pennsylvania All-Stars race at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on July 6. A $185,000 yearling acquisition at the Standardbred Horse Sale, In Range was bred by Windsong Stable and is owned by Amg Stable Inc., Kenneth Kjellgren, Tomas Asell, and Rick Wahlstedt. In Range is out of the Windsong's Legacy mare Ilia (1:56, $46,020), which makes him a half-brother to Tight Lines (Yankee Glide, 1:51 2/5, $596,376) and a three-quarter brother to Long Tom (Muscle Hill, 1:52 1/5, $410,513). In Range was also a 4-5 favorite and also returned $3.80 to win.

Type A (Gingras), coming off a 1:56 3/5 victory in an overnight race at the Meadowlands on July 10, also remained unblemished with a 1:56 tally in the last $69,707 grouping. Type A led at every call, posting fractions of 28 1/5, 58, and 1:27 1/5 on his way to the win by a length and three-quarters over Take All Comers (Dave Palone). Johan Palema (Svanstedt) held third after a pocket trip.

"I thought he was the horse to beat in there for sure," said Gingras. "I didn't really want to follow anybody. He might not be as quick as some of the other ones, but he never gets tired."

Trainer Nancy Takter also co-owns Type A, a colt from the initial crop of Southwind Frank, with partner Frank Canzone. Type A, who fetched $40,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale, was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. and is out of the Andover Hall mare Up Front Laura (1:58, $65,102), making Type A a half-brother to the likes of Uva Hanover (1:52 2/5, $549,509). Type A was dispatched as the 1-5 choice and paid $2.60 to win.

--quotes courtesy of The Meadows--