Meadows hosts 3 Classic 3CP splits

It was called the Keystone Classic, but the $72,995 stake Tuesday night at The Meadows could just as easily have been titled “The Ben Stafford Show.” Trainer Ben Stafford and his son, driver Ben Stafford Jr., scored doubles in the event with their horses Big Business and Hennessy Hanover.

Pan Giovanni captured the third division of the stake for Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-old pacing colts. 

The win by Big Business was no surprise; five of his seven career victories--all in stakes--have come at The Meadows.

“He really tries over this track,” Ben Stafford Jr. said. “He gets over it so easy.”

In the Keystone Classic, the son of Dragon Again sprang on top, was shuffled to third and rallied through the lane to score in 1:51.4, a career best. Springlake Artist, who ground out a tough first-over trip, was a head back, with Pardon You a closing third.

Owned by Ben Stafford Jr. and Rick MacLeish, Big Business is lightly staked. Based on his eighth-place finish in the Burlington, Stafford said the schedule he's planned for the $20,000 yearling acquisition suits his talents.

“Even if he was 100 percent for the Burlington, which I don't think he was, he might have eked out a fourth or fifth that night,” he said. “That goes to show you that he's not cut out for the Meadowlands Pace and that kind of race. He's a good horse, but he's not that good.”

Hennessy Hanover, on the other hand, remains eligible to such stakes as the Adios but hasn't demonstrated his talent consistently.

“I can't put my finger on it,” Stafford said. “He'll race good a couple starts and then he'll throw in a clunker or two. He's just so inconsistent. This horse is phenomenally fast. He has speed that he doesn't know he has yet.”

In the Keystone Classic, the son of Dragon Again enjoyed a pocket trip behind heavy favorite Ruff Me Up, then exploded by that one for a three-quarter length victory in 1:52.1. Ruff Me Up saved place over Tutor Hanover. Stafford and John Heckler own Hennessy Hanover, a $32,000 yearling purchase.

Pan Giovanni and Tony Hall used a determined uncovered move to grind down leader The Double Dion, who faded from the ticket late. The son of Western Hanover prevailed by a nose over Future Character, with Rockinrollin Now in third.

A homebred for Peter Pan Stables, Pan Giovanni had only two starts at two. Ron Burke, assistant trainer for the Mickey Burke stable, says the colt's lack of experience is the only thing holding him back.

“The horse has go, but he needs seasoning,” Burke said. “He has to make up the ground he lost at two. He has minor problems, but he's breeding shows. He's bred as well as you can be bred, and it comes out.” (The Meadows)

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