The Meadows: Imagine Heaven swiftest in PA Sire Stakes for 2YO filly pacers

Loua Dipa, Imagine Heaven and Bahama Momma came out on top in three Pennsylvania Sire Stakes tests for rookie pacing fillies on Saturday afternoon's program at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Imagine Heaven (Tyler Buter) won the fastest $45,821 split in 1:51 1/5, though she was parked well past the 27 second opening quarter to make the front. Once she had control, she sailed through a 55 second half and a 1:23 2/5 three-quarters, then had enough left to come home in 27 4/5 and win by a length and a quarter over early leader Say Goodnight (Matt Kakaley). Kissedbyastranger (Yannick Gingras) got third.

"She floats over the ground," Buter remarked post-race. "That middle-half she was in neutral, and at top of the stretch I asked and she took off."

A daughter of Papi Rob Hanover bred by Dr. Stephen Dey III with Dandy Farms, Imagine Heaven is trained by Hunter Oakes for owners Flying A Racing Stable, Lucky Strike and Charles Oakes. She has won both of her starts so far, has pocketed $28,410 and paid $3.20 to win.

Loua Dipa, a full sister to world champion Looksgoodinloulou, was a 1:52 4/5 victor back in the opening $45,821 division. She pressed on two-wide beyond the 27 3/5 quarter to take over the top spot and went on to click off the half in 57 1/5 and the three-quarters in 1:25 4/5. From there, Loua Dipa couldn't be caught as she kept clear from pocket-sitter Big Weekend (Kakaley) for a 1 1/2 length victory, while Yama Gonna Win (Scott Zeron) checked in third.

A homebred for Burke Racing Stable LLC. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Loua Dipa is by Sweet Lou and was sent out by Ron Burke. She broke her maiden in her second opportunity, has banked $23,942 and returned $6.00 to win.

"Today, Loua Dipa was an unopened present that you think you know what it is, but you need to open it to make sure," winning co-owner/breeder Mark Weaver offered. "Training down and in the qualifiers, we thought and hoped she had this in her, but you're never sure. We are thrilled with her performance today."

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The last $46,221 section saw Bahama Momma (Zeron) on the engine at the 27 4/5 quarter, but she was third by the time they got to the 56 3/5 half as she was looped by I'm A Lou Lou (Tim Tetrick) and Spoon Fed (Dave Palone). Spoon Fed stayed in command to three-quarters in 1:24 4/5 and into the lane, but Bahama Momma, who swung off the pylons on the final bend, was able to surge by her in the stretch, getting up for the half-length tally in 1:51 4/5. Spoon Fed wound up second and I'm A Lou Lou took third.

"The trip worked out really well, and she was game all the way through the stretch," Zeron said. "She was highly thought of
training down."

Joe Bongiorno trains Bahama Momma, a Tall Dark Stranger filly, for owners Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Odds On Racing. Christina Takter, Marvin Katz and Brixton Medical Inc. bred Bahama Momma, who won at first asking after she was third and then second in two baby races at Gaitway Farm and paid $11.60 to win.

--quotes courtesy of the MSOA--