Graceful Sister answers the Closing Bell at Meadows

Passed before the three-quarter pole and seemingly racing for a minor check, Graceful Sister rallied in the lane to capture the $32,000 final of the Closing Bell Trot, a series for 3-and 4-year-old fillies and mares, on Thursday at The Meadows. The track has staged three series finals so far this week, and Bob Key homebreds have won them all.

In the Closing Bell, Graceful Sister surrendered the lead to the first-over bid of Elizabeth Lane and Doug Snyder, who opened up by 2 1/4 lengths before the final turn. Responding to Dave Palone's urging, Graceful Sister brushed again, defeating Elizabeth Lane by a half-length in 1:58.2. Taboo Yankee was a rallying third.

"I think being passed like that was all part of Dave's plan," said Norm Parker, who trains the 3-year-old daughter of Yankee Glide-Sisters Winner K. "He thought Doug's mare was the best, so he wanted to stretch her out a little bit. Our filly's young, so he didn't want to overuse her.

"She trotted in 1:58 as a 2 year old but never could finish that well. We gave her some time off, and she's trained back well. We're looking for big things from her."

He said Graceful Sister is heavily staked this season.

Flashy Lady took the $12,000 Closing Bell consolation for trainer-driver Jim Taggart Jr. with a sustained bid that enabled her to erase a 12 1/2-length deficit. She scored in 1:59.2 over Sweet Mademoiselle and LA's Blue Sky. Paul Schell and Joel Kravet own Flashy Lady, a 4-year-old daughter of CR Excalibur-Fuchsia Seelster.

Spring Break made it five wins in the last eight starts by taking the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace in 1:53.1 for driver Mike Wilder, trainer Dan Altmeyer and owners Joann and Joe Thomson. Lickcreek Jazzy was 2 1/2 lengths back in second, with Streetcarnamedsire third. It was the 20th victory in 77 career starts for Spring Break, a 5-year-old daughter of Dream Away-Siobhan. (The Meadows)

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