PASS for 2YO pacing colts held at Meadows

Four divisions of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts, each carrying a purse of $74,000-plus, were contested at The Meadows Monday afternoon. The fastest winners were Movie Idol (1:53.1), Mystic Desire (1:53.2) and Wink N Atcha (1:53.4). The fourth split, which was the first of the card, was won by Alsace Hanover via a placing.

 

Movie Idol, driven by Corey Callahan, is a son of I Am A Fool. Owned by a partnership that includes Corey's father, Nick, the colt won by three-quarters of a length over the betting favorite, the Brian Brown-trained Something For Doc.

 

Mystic Desire, a son of Real Desire, is owned by Angie Nessa and Jerry Stepter of Illinois. Ray "Tom" Paver trains and drives the colt on the PASS circuit.

 

Wink N Atcha, a son of Dragon Again, was winning his second straight race at The Meadows after taking an Arden Downs stakes on Adios Day. He's trained by George Teague Jr.

 

Wink N Atcha remained unbeaten in his career by notching his fifth straight victory.  Bet down to 1-2, Wink N Atcha moved quickly to the lead for Brian Sears and sailed to an effortless victory, 2 lengths better than the pocket-sitting Hugadragon. Reckless Ric, Wink N Atcha’s stablemate, was third despite a demanding uncovered bid, his fourth in-the-money finish in as many career outings.

 

All five of Wink N Atcha’s wins have been in regional stakes, and all on five-eighths-mile tracks. Sears knows the colt faces sterner challenges ahead.

 

“We got nice, soft fractions, and I was just keeping his mind on his business because he was looking at some shadows,” Sears said. “Otherwise, he was real good. He’ll get a real test against some good horses in the Metro Pace (Aug. 28 at Mohawk). We’ll find out how good he is then. I think he’ll be even better out of a hole.”

 

Teague, Jr. trains Wink N Atcha for George Teague, Jr. Inc., Ted Gewertz, Gustis Teague and Paisano Stable.

 

Movie Idol turned in the stake’s fastest mile, breaking his maiden in 1:53.1 despite what driver Corey Callahan called human error. That possible miscalculation occurred near the three-quarters when Callahan opted to follow the cover of Brass Cap rather than save ground. When Brass Cap stalled a moment later, Movie Idol was forced to go wide.

 

Nevertheless, he persevered and downed Something For Doc by 3/4 lengths, with Prana completing the trifecta.

 

“I really made the wrong choice,” Callahan said. “I didn’t want to get locked in, so when I had a chance to move, I moved. If I’d sat in just another two seconds, I think he’d have won easier. But he’s a good horse. He overcame a bad decision.”

 

Shaun Callahan trains the colt.

 

Mystic Desire was parked out the first quarter but made short work of his division anyway, drawing off to prevail by 5-1/2 lengths. Fameous Western was second with Real Trell third.

 

“I didn’t know if he would be sharp enough off a three-week layoff,” Paver said. “I just kind of yelled at him in the turn, and he just took off and coasted to the wire. And he wasn’t done. That’s a good sign, right?” (The Meadows)