The Meadows: Dunn doubles in PA Sire Stakes

Dexter Dunn steered Sandbetweenmytoes and No Lou Zing to victories in the two Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions that were the featured events on Saturday afternoon at The Meadows.

The Greek Freak (Matt Kakaley) chopped out a 27 second opening quarter in the first $94,378 section, but Dunn already had Sandbetweenmytoes out and moving from fourth at that point, and he would clear to the top prior to the 55 second half. When Sandbetweenmytoes cleared, that shuffled favored Chief Mate (Scott Zeron) from the pocket back to third, and Zeron had to send him first-over after the half.

Sandbetweenmytoes rebuffed the challenge of Chief Mate through a 1:22 three-quarters and around the final bend, then paced away through the lane, winning the race by 2 1/4 lengths over The Greek Freak and stopping the teletimer in 1:49 1/5. Chief Mate was able to hold third over Patriot Nation (Dave Palone).

"He was a green horse for a while," said winning trainer Jim Campbell. "But he's really put everything together. He's a big, strong horse, and he's just starting to figure everything out. He has a top mother (Galleria), and I think his mother's coming out in him."

Campbell trains Sandbetweenymytoes, a gelding by Somebeachsomewhere, for owner/breeder Fashion Farms LLC. Sandbetweenmytoes picked up his fifth win from 17 career starts, and he has now earned $160,067. He was the second choice behind Chief Mate and paid $4.60 to win.

In the other $94,778 split No Lou Zing and Dunn showed speed from post three and reached the opening quarter in 27 seconds, but Cattlewash (David Miller) drove up on the outside and was able to forge his way into the lead as they raced in the stretch for the first time.

Cattlewash maintained his grip on the proceedings through a 55 1/5 half and a 1:22 3/5 three-quarters, but No Lou Zing remained right on Miller's helmet in the pocket and then went into the passing lane when it became available. Once he had that clearance, No Lou Zing had a strong closing kick to go with it, as he charged past Cattlewash on his way to a 2 1/4 length decision in a life's-best 1:49 3/5. Cattlewash got second ahead of Manticore (Corey Callahan), who was unable to threaten from first-over.

"I wanted to follow Dave; I didn't want to come first-up with him," Dunn said. "The two-hole was available, and following Dave was the right move. He was a difficult horse earlier, but he's getting better and better."

No Lou Zing is a Sweet Lou gelding trained by Nancy Takter for owners 3 Brothers Stables, Rojan Stables, and Caviart Farms. Unable to hit the board in three starts last year, No Lou Zing has a record of 4-3-1 from eight appearances in 2020, and he has banked $146,418. He was the 2-5 favorite and returned $2.80 to win.

--quotes courtesy of The Meadows--