Fahy takes two 3FT Classics

Despite being parked out the first quarter mile, Gia found enough trot for a stretch drive that carried her to victory in a division of the $68,998 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Thursday night at The Meadows.

The stake was contested over three divisions, with Decanter and Bluer Than Blue taking the other splits. Bill Fahy earned a driving double in the stake, piloting Decanter and Bluer Than Blue.

Gia endured a rough opening panel, stuck on the outside before driver Ray Paver could urge her to the lead.

“I didn't want to rush her out of there, so I just kind of floated, hoping to clear before the turn,” Paver said. “But she was a little sideways, so I just got her in gear and turned her loose.”

The daughter of Lindy Lane subsequently was pocketed by the 1-5 favorite, TS Fast Forward. But when Paver asked Gia for more in the stretch, she cruised past TS Fast Forward, scoring in 1:57 by 1 1/4 lengths. Unicornlane finished behind TS Fast Forward in third.

The mile was two ticks off the stake record established by Win B and Robert Blanton, Jr. in 2004. Scott Cox trains Gia for Robert Slowey, Anthony Minute and Dennis Osterholt.

Decanter won her last start, a division of the Currier & Ives, even though Fahy -- who also trains the daughter of S J's Caviar--judged her less than her best.

“We changed her shoeing a little bit, tried to shoe her for this racetrack,” said Fahy. “She handled it real well. She's doing everything she's supposed to do.”

The adjustments were just what Decanter needed. From third, she launched a sustained first-over move that wore down the leader, Pembroke Spice. Decanter won by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:57. Pembroke Spice saved place, with Indy's Lindy charging late for third.

Cary I. Grady owns Decanter, a $5,000 acquisition at a 2-year-olds-in-training sale who remains eligible for such major stakes as the Hambletonian Oaks.

Bluer Than Blue, whose recent lines show occasional breaks, was solid in the Keystone Classic, using two moves that took her to the second spot behind favored Undercover Lover. When Undercover Lover broke stride late, Bluer Than Blue charged to victory in 1:57.4, 1 3/4 lengths better than Beryl's Flight. Eyefull was third.

“I remember the last time she was here, she was real hot in the post parade,” Fahy said. “So I kept her quiet in the post parade and off the gate. I don't know if we get past (without Undercover Lover's break). She was coming. She wasn't out of trot. She gutted it out.”

Jan Johnson trains Bluer Than Blue, a daughter of Andover Hall, for Jorgen Jahre. (The Meadows)

Click for the ustrotting.com charts or the free PedigreeGuru.com catalogue-style pedigrees for Gia, Bluer Than Blue or Decanter.

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