The Meadows: Hangover, Payback Moni victorious in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes

Friday afternoon's program at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows featured two divisions of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, called the Meadow Bright, as well as three divisions of Stallion Series action for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

The first sire stakes tilt saw the Ake Svanstedt trainee Hangover make her seasonal debut a winning one for driver Dave Palone. Princess Jackie and Jim Marohn Jr. pressed on for the front early, forcing Palone to move the Southwind Frank filly back to the lead past the quarter. From there, she would face a backside challenge from Ms Prada, and after the two raced head-and-head through the final turn, Hangover would open back up in the stretch for a lifetime-best victory of 1:54 3/5.

"With Ake's conditioning and training regiment, his horses can be driven confidently anytime," Palone explained afterwards.

Svanstedt, Joe Sbrocco, Jaf Racing and Little E LLC. share ownership of Hangover.

The local combination of Steve Schoeffel and Brady Brown teamed up with Payback Moni to take the second sire stakes split in 1:55 1/5. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and Blueberry were quick to the lead in an opening quarter of 27 3/5 while Brown and Payback Moni left alertly from post seven to secure the pocket. A slow second quarter would set up for a big finish, as Blueberry and Payback Moni would duel through every step of the stretch until Payback Moni wound up a head the best.

Now three-for-three this year, Brown stated about Payback Moni, "She's been absolutely phenomenal training back from Day One. She's filled out nicely."

Schoeffel shares ownership in the International Moni filly along with Daniel Goehle and James Reuter.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

The Stallion Series started the way the Meadow Bright finished, as Brown and Schoeffel had a last step winner in Per Capita. Early movement set up Per Capita, at odds of 10-1, to get up in the final stride for the signature win of her young career.

"She got rough twice in the last turn, and I had to tell myself to stop chasing her in the turn," Brown would confess following the race.

The Father Patrick filly is owned by Kathy Schoeffel, King Family Stables, and Mary Owlett - all from Pennsylvania.

"A nice surprise," is how Todd Schadel summed up the victory by Tally The Tab in the second grouping of Stallion Series action. Trainer, driver and part owner with Christine Schadel, Schadel sat the pocket with the 10-1 shot and would grind down favorite Baybreeze Hanover for the neck victory in a lifetime-best of 1:55 3/5 over the sloppy going.

In the third and final Stallion Series clash, Willow Oak Ranch's homebred Santa Cristina lived up to her heavy favorite status with a 3 1/4 length victory in 1:55 3/5. After Boom Chica Boom and Jeremy Indof hustled to the lead post six, Dave Palone moved the Julie Miller-trained Bar Hopping filly back to the lead to stay and trotted off to her third win in 13 lifetime starts.

For the day, Aaron Merriman had three winners and Schoeffel's two stakes wins gave him the top honor on the training side.

--press release (MSOA)--