The Meadows: Palone drives both of Friday's PA Sire Stakes winners

Odds-on favorites Once In A Lifetime (1-9) and Saint Louie (1-5) dominated Friday's $140,146 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, each winning a division and cementing a berth in the championship. Just as dominant was Dave Palone, who swept the stake, known as the Super Bowl, among his seven victories on the 13-race card.

The $260,000 (est.) divisional PASS final is set for Sept. 3 at Harrah's Philadelphia.

On paper, Once In A Lifetime looked untouchable. His bank account was more than three times larger that that of any of his three rivals in the scratch-shortened field. Moreover, Jim Campbell, who trains the son of Father Patrick-Sherrys Lady for Sad Frog Farms, was adding Lasix to the colt's arsenal.

In the race, he was just as untouchable as expected, cruising to a front-end score in 1:53 4/5. Father Stosh was half a length back in second with Tenforthebigguy third. Once In a Lifetime extended his lifetime earnings to $376,792.

"It was just like a training mile," Palone said. "He got his own numbers. I just asked him at the head of the stretch, and he was off by himself."

Saint Louie had an even easier time of it, springing to the lead from post four and never experiencing an anxious moment in his 1:53 4/5 romp. The pocket-sitting Herodotus was second, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, while Crantini completed the ticket.

"The only thing to say - plugs in, wrapped up," Palone said. "You never want to extend them any more than you have to with the final coming up, so I just kind of trained him around there."

The Father Patrick-Emmylou Who gelding has hit the board in all nine career outings for trainer Ake Svanstedt and owners Ake Svanstedt Inc., Young Guns and Joe Sbrocco.

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$40,000 PA Stallion Series Event - 3-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trotters

Big Boy Ernest and Crypto Currency captured the splits in Friday's sub-feature.

Battin A Thousand held a narrow lead turning for home, but most of his rivals remained in contention. Big Boy Ernest found the path to victory in the Lightning Lane, prevailing by half a length in 1:54 3/5 for Mike Wilder. Battin A Thousand and Biscoe rounded out the ticket. Norm Parker conditions the International Moni-Woohoo Hanover gelding for Charles Receski, Ed Receski, Todd Brice and Bart Brice.

Stake action continues Saturday at The Meadows with a pair of events for 3-year-old filly pacers: a $146,546 PASS and a $60,000 PA Stallion Series event. First post is 12:45 P.M.

--press release (MSOA)--