Sand shooter debuts with PASS victory in 1:51.1 at The Meadows

Sand Shooter, runner-up in last year's Breeders Crown for pacing freshmen, launched his 3-year-old campaign impressively Friday at The Meadows by effortlessly taking a division of a $202,360 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, scoring in 1:51.1 over a sloppy track.

The stake, known as the Bye Bye Byrd, was contested over five divisions, with Upfront Hannahsboy, Mystery Chase, Sheer Brilliance and Truponder capturing the other splits.

Sand Shooter, a $40,000 yearling acquisition, hadn't raced since that Breeders Crown, but he showed no signs of rust, moving to the lead at the quarter pole for David Miller and drawing off to win by 5-1/2 lengths over First Rate. Keystone Nautilus was third.

“He's big and strong now, and he had plenty left in the tank,” said Jim Arledge, Jr., who trains the son of Western Hanover for Bill Sanders and Jerry Silva. “

Sand Shooter's stable mate, Upfront Hannahsboy, provided Arledge and Miller with a stakes double, but had to work harder for his victory. The son of Dragon Again, using Lasix for the first time, accelerated from post position 8 for early position, then came uncovered to wear down 1-5 favorite Its That Time. He prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:53, with Arterosa third.

“At the end of last year we knew he was bleeding,” Arledge said, “but we couldn't get him on Lasix at the right time. He trained back super. He likes a horse in front of him. If he can get that, he'll pass anybody. He was at Peninsula Farm all winter, and he really filled out.”

C. Ed Mullinax owns Upfront Hannahsboy who, as Sand Shooter, is being pointed to the Burlington and the North America Cup.

Mystery Chase also had to chase the leader, but once he cleared down the backside, the outcome was no mystery. He won for Dave Palone by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:51.3. Atochia overcame significant road problems to be second while Silver Dragon was well back in third. Jim Campbell trains Mystery Chase, a son of Real Artist, for Arlene and Jules Siegel.

“When I talked to Jim on the phone, he informed me this was a nice colt,” Palone said. “Jim's a low-key guy. When he endorses them, you know they're all right.” (The Meadows)

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