The Meadows: McCarthy's hot streak marches on

The roll that Andrew McCarthy is on going back to Hambletonian Day continued on Monday afternoon at The Meadows as he was the winning driver in both $102,516 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes contests for 2-year-old trotting fillies that were held.

In the first division McCarthy and Flawless County went all the way on the lead, clicking off fractions of 27 4/5, 58 2/5, and 1:27 2/5 en route to a one length win in 1:55. You Ato Dream (Jeff Gregory) was a game runner-up from first-over, and Gimme Shelter (Dave Palone) came in third from a pocket trip.

"Her connections told me she drives like a car, and she did," McCarthy said. "I think she'll go a long way. She has very good manners and high speed. I had to tell her what to do a little bit, but she responded and got the job done."

From the first crop of Southwind Frank, Flawless County is co-owned by trainer Ake Svanstedt in partnership with Wolfgang A Stable Inc. and Borje Nasstrom. Flawless County, bred by Christian Stoltzfus, was a $100,000 purchase at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale and now has a pair of victories from four efforts to go with earnings of $85,938. Flawless Country is the third foal out of the Donato Hanover mare Aleah Hanover (1:59 4/5, $8,836), a half-sister to Cruzado Dela Noche (Muscle Massive, 1:53 3/5, $1,383,639). Flawless Country was the 1-2 favorite and paid $3.00 to win.

McCarthy and Anoka Hanover worked to the top around Pub Crawl after the 28 3/5 first quarter in the other flight and went on to hit the half in 57 3/5 and the three-quarters in 1:26. Anoka Hanover drifted out through the lane, but she kept going forward at the same time, winning by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:55. Pub Crawl held second ahead of Evening Stroll (Mike Wilder).

"I really like this one," McCarthy said. "She still has a lot to learn, but she's very powerful and has a great gait and a willing attitude. I was hoping I could sink into a spot and maybe come first-over with her, but it didn't work out that way. But she's a very strong filly."

Trainer Noel Daley also co-owns Anoka Hanover, a daughter of Donato Hanover, with L.A. Express Stable LLC. and Caviart Farms. Anoka Hanover, who was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc., was taken out of the 2019 Standardbred Horse Sale for $35,000 and now has a trio of triumphs from four appearances, in addition to a bankroll of $61,658. Anoka Hanover is the fifth foal out of the Yankee Glide mare Aunt Mel (1:54, $280,332), and returned $5.60 to win as the 9-5 favorite.

--quotes courtesy of The Meadows--