The Meadows: Miller makes it a double in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes

Driver David Miller piloted two of the three winners in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday afternoon at The Meadows.

Miller struck first with What A Knockout in the $56,079 opener, taking a 1:54 4/5 victory. Bill's Lady (Corey Callahan) stole soft fractions of 27 2/5, 57 1/5, and 1:25 4/5 in the contest, but What A Knockout, who pulled first-up from third nearing three-quarters, overhauled her in upper stretch, then held safe to the wire. Piranha Fury (Tim Tetrick) followed the winner's cover and was second, beaten half a length, with Kenziesky Hanover (Brian Zendt) up for third.

“I was surprised she was that sharp off one qualifier,” Miller said. “That was a really good mile for a filly racing her first mile. So I felt pretty confident with her today. I thought if she came back to how she raced at the Meadowlands, she would win today. She has a lot of upside. She’s a big, strong horse, handles herself well and has a little speed. That’s all good.”

What A Knockout is a daughter of Donato Hanover trained by Marcus Melander for owners Our Horse Cents Stables and J&T Silva Stables, LLC. She is now a two-time winner in her racing career, and the winner's share of the purse boosted her earnings to $43,019. She was the 3-2 favorite and paid $5.00 to win.

"The Buckeye" completed the sire stakes double by winning the final $56,479 flight with Live Laugh Love in 1:54 2/5. Starting from post seven, Live Laugh Love advanced up on the outside to take the lead away from Courtney Hanover (Dave Palone) passing the stands for the first time, and would go on to hit the half in 57 4/5 and the three-quarters in 1:26 1/5. Nixie Volo (Callahan), who came first-over from fourth racing to the three-quarters, battled side-by-side with Live Laugh Love through the final quarter, but the pace-setter was resolute, winning by a head. Courtney Hanover held third.

Another filly by Donato Hanover, Live Laugh Love is trained by Nifty Norman for co-owners/breeders Mel Hartman and Diamond Creek Farm and their ownership partner David McDuffee. Live Laugh Love made her fourth appearance in the winner's circle, and she has now banked $88,107. Live Laugh Love was the 3-5 favorite and returned $3.20 to win.

Norman took the hopples off Live Laugh Love to start her sophomore campaign, a change that triggered her current winning streak (three-for-three in 2018).

“She had some soreness problems, and the hopples really weren’t making a difference. This year, she’s been in good shape so far,” Miller said. “Today, they weren’t going much when we were outside. I was looking for a spot to put her in a hole for a while. That’s the first time I’ve put her on front this year, and she held up real well. The fractions weren’t that strong.”

Lily Stride (Tetrick) rounded out the sire stakes victors on the day, winning the middle $56,079 section in 1:55 3/5. Lily Stride settled third to the 28 4/5 opening quarter, moved to the front, clicked off middle-half stations of 58 4/5 and 1:26 4/5, then pulled clear through the lane on her way to a 2 3/4 length decision over Megadolce (Miller) and Southwind Angelica (Aaron Merriman.

“She’s always been one of my favorites,” Tetrick said. “She’s a little bit smarter this year. Right now we’re just trying to get her in big-race mode, and she’s doing everything right. She had a few kinks that cost her a little bit last year; we’re trying to work those out. But she’s got plenty of go.”

A multi-time stakes winner at two, Lily Stride is trained by Mark Harder for owners Emilio and Maria Rosati. A Muscle Hill filly, Lily Stride now has a record of 5-6-2 from 15 efforts, and she has put away $288,906. Lily Stride was dispatched at 1-9 and paid $2.20 to win.

--quotes courtesy of The Meadows--