Filly superstars help Meadows launch PASS

The Meadows’ component of the 2010 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes program, a series that will offer approximately $12 million in purses statewide, kicks off Thursday and Friday, with two of the biggest stars of the 3-year-old filly pacer division on hand to help launch the festivities.

Thursday’s opening leg of the PASS Stallion Series for sophomore pacing fillies includes six $20,000 divisions. Limited to 2-year-olds in its inaugural season, the Stallion Series has been expanded in 2010 to include 3-year-olds in all divisions, a tribute to the vigor of the PASS program.

But the big guns arrive Friday, when both Fancy Filly (Race 4) and Dancinwiththestarz (Race 8) compete in the $265,556 PASS first leg, known as the Adios Betty. Fancy Filly, trained by George Teague, Jr. for George Teague, Jr. Inc., Ted Gewertz and Only Money Inc., is the 2009 divisional champion, with a world-record mark of 1:51.1, $817,584 and a Breeders Crown title on her resume. She goes from post 3 in her first race this year.

Dancinwiththestarz, the 2009 PASS divisional champion, makes her seasonal debut after four qualifiers for trainer John Stark, Jr. and owners W Springtime Racing Stable and Shannon Brott. At 2, she compiled nine wins and $249,710 in earnings. She’ll go from the rail in her initial start on Lasix.

Another 2009 champion, Brian Sears, is down to drive both Dancinwiththestarz and Fancy Filly.

The 10 splits over two days mark the beginning of The Meadows’ roughly $6.45 million stakes season highlighted by the Delvin Miller Adios, which this year will be conducted over two days — eliminations on Saturday, July 24, the final on Saturday, July 31. Including the eliminations, the final and the $50,000 consolation, the “Pace for the Orchids” will offer a projected total purse of $750,000.

The Meadows also will host a “Day of Champions” Saturday, Sept. 4, featuring all four PASS championships for 3-year-olds as well as a consolation for each of those divisions. Total PASS purses that day are projected at $800,000.(The Meadows)

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