Shocker in PASS 2FP

Pantathlon, a maiden in only her third career start, matured in a hurry and blew up the tote board, scoring at 77-1 in a division of a $120,065 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for 2-year-old pacing fillies Friday night at The Meadows. The stake, known as the Meadow Cheer, was contested over five divisions, with Tidewaterdragonfly, Village Mirage, Get A Cab and Western Graduate taking the other splits. Trainer Mickey Burke and driver Dave Palone scored doubles with Pantathlon and Western Graduate.

Pantathlon made an unremarkable debut in an overnight event at Pocono Downs and followed that up by breaking stride in a PA Sires Stake at Pocono. Bettors may have been wary, but driver Daniel Dube exhibited no such caution, sending the daughter of The Panderosa for the lead. It took them much of the first quarter to get there.

“I just wanted to make sure she didn’t break,” Dube said. “After that she was fine.”Dube said Ron Burke, assistant trainer for the Mickey Burke stable, advised him that the youngster would be well-mannered.

“He told me she would be good,” Dube said. “She had bad luck last time when she made that break. They thought she was much better than that.”

Pantathlon survived a backside challenge from stable mate Jayne’s Character as well as a judges’ inquiry for a possible pylon violation. Owned by Peter Pan Stables, Pantathlon scored in 1:54.4, 2-1/4 lengths better than Selina’s Joy, with Jayne’s Character a weary third. Across the board payoffs for the winner were dazzling—$156.80, $48, $18.20.

Tidewaterdragonfly came into the Meadow Cheer with even less experience—a maiden event she captured by 3-1/2 lengths. She was even more dominating in the stake, coming first-over for Palone and winning by 11-1/4 lengths in 1:54.2, fastest split of the evening.

“She went 1:54.2 as easy as a horse can do it,” Palone said. “That’s pretty impressive. When I pulled her, she wanted to do her work. She just did everything asked of her. She got a little lost as soon as she cleared. But she got home well within herself, shut down.”

Eagle Hilarious closed from well back for place while Dexagon took third. Kelly O’Donnell trains Tidewaterdragonfly, a daughter of Dragon Again, for David Beachler and Annefuria Singleton.

Western Graduate was sent off the 1-5 favorite but was treated with little respect by her rivals. She was hung the first quarter before taking the lead, then faced first-over pressure from Lauren Order.

“She was a little flat, but I attribute that to the bias tonight,” Palone said. “I think speed is no good at all. I’ll tell you what I love about this filly. She really does dig down in. She never got a breather, but when I asked her at the head of the stretch, she jumped up back on the bit again. She has a beautiful mouth and a great attitude.”

The daughter of Western Hanover prevailed in 1:55.3 by 1-1/4 lengths over the game Lauren Order, who edged Top Shelf Hanover for place. Sylvia Burke, Thomas Cherichello, George Leon and Lawrence Karr own Western Graduate. (The Meadows)

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