Mersky's Hokie girls score at The Meadows

 Friday’s second leg of the Jans Luck at The Meadows became a showcase for owner/breeder Ron Mersky’s “Hokie Girls” as his homebreds Hokie Heart and Hokie Spirit; each won a $15,000 division of the series for 3-year-old filly pacers for driver Mile Wilder and trainer Dan Altmeyer. Smoke Pan Mirrors captured the third division in 1:54.2, fastest mile of the leg.

 

Hokie Heart, who took a split in last week’s opening leg, sat patiently in third until Wilder cut her loose before the final turn. The daughter of Dragon Again-Rose Croix easily blew by Discoverer, the 1-5 favorite, and triumphed in 1:54.3. She Can Dance rallied for place, a length behind, while Discoverer saved show.

 

Hokie Spirit’s win was less likely, as she was launching her sophomore campaign off a layoff of nearly seven months. The daughter of Dragon Again-Yankee Fresca enjoyed a ground-saving trip before exploding in the lane, scoring in 1:54.3, 3-1/4 lengths better than 4-5 favorite Electricity. Kalua Killean was well back in third. With their victories, the stablemates established lifetime marks.

 

Doug Snyder gave Smoke Pan Mirrors a :30.3 second-quarter breather on the lead, and the daughter of No Pan Intended-Sleight of Pan responded with a comfortable victory. The pocket-sitting O Lucky Me was 1-1/2 lengths back in second, with RM Mornin Sunshine third. Dane Snyder trains Smoke Pan Mirrors for Judy Magie.

 

The Jans Luck final, with an estimated purse of $25,000, is set for next Friday. (The Meadows)