The Meadows: Divine Thing, Country Victory shine in PA Sire Stakes

Divine Thing moved smartly first-over, picked up a bit of late cover and roared through the lane to score in Thursday's $157,598 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Country Victory took the other division in the event for 2-year-old filly trotters known as the Delmonica Hanover.

Divine Thing was moving nicely after David Miller sent her first-up from fourth. Then, Ms Prada appeared to get the jump on her, vacating the pocket near the final turn. Neither Divine Thing nor Miller was at all perturbed.

"When I moved her, I wanted to take a run at the leader," Miller said. "When Ms Prada edged out, that was fine. We got a little cover. The trip really was good for her. She's improved over the last couple starts. Hopefully she can keep this form and make a little money this summer."

The daughter of Greenshoe-A Thing Goin On downed Ms Prada by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:54 3/5 - two ticks off Sister Sledge's stake record - while Payback Moni earned show. Divine Thing now has banked $95,099 for trainer Steve Carter and owners Jay Mossbarger, Brent Hopper and Kyle Gray.

Parked the entire opening panel, Country Victory still had plenty in the tank. The daughter of International Moni-Kristins Victory shrugged off the uncovered challenge of Princess Jackie - who was seeking to extend her career unbeaten streak to four - and prevailed by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:55. Goodgirl Bi It and Princess Jackie rounded out the ticket.

"We got a little breather the second quarter, so we kind of cooled out a little bit," said winning driver Yannick Gingras. "They told me she'd be a little lazy, and that was spot on. But every time I asked her, she gave me a little bit more."

Melvin Schmucker conditions Country Victory for Yacht Club 140 LLC.

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$80,000 PA Stallion Series 2-Year-Old Filly Trot

Tiktok Hanover, Saints Preserve Us, Sangria Joy and Bay Breeze Hanover each won a division of Thursday's sub-feature. Tim Tetrick enjoyed a stake double behind Saints Preserve Us and Bay Breeze Hanover.

Tiktok Hanover created content perfect for social media. Down the backside, she moved first-over from fifth for Aaron Merriman and gobbled up the field, triumphing in 1:57 4/5. Favorite Timely Blessing was a length back in second, with Greenhorn third.

"I'm sure she's better following a helmet," Merriman said. "She probably never made the lead that early. She was well in hand."

Bruce Schadel owns and trains the daughter of Bar Hopping-Tangent.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday when the card features a pair of PASS events: a $146,622 stake for 3-year-old filly pacers and a $143,162 stake for sophomore colt and gelding trotters. Also on the ticket is a $100,000 PA Stallion Series skirmish for 3-year-old filly pacers. In all, the 13-race program offers nine stakes splits. First post is 5:10 P.M.

--press release (MSOA)--