Pair of standouts

Pillow Pal and Lord of Dance appear significantly faster than their competition in a pair of 4 1/2-furlong $45,000 stakes restricted to 2-year-old West Virginia-breds at Charles Town.

In race 9, the Henry Mercer Memorial for colts and geldings, Lord of Dance has posted back-to-back Beyers of 72 and 80 while winning his first two starts by a combined 15 1/2 lengths.

Among his seven rivals, including coupled stablemate Brother Bryant, the next best Beyer belongs to Darth Tater, who earned a 61 for his 15 1/2-length romp over open-company maidens after failing twice in shorter sprints against statebreds.

In race 8, the Cinderella for fillies, Pillow Pal was awarded a 79 Beyer for her second-place finish in a restricted stakes at Colonial Downs. She has had a month to recover from that big effort, which should minimize the risk of a bounce.

Trainer Jeff Runco has a coupled entry, Navy Dame and Color Parade. Both fillies are coming off decisive scores over statebred maidens and could contend if they move forward in their first start against winners.