Staying Smooth is smooth in Meadows victory

Staying Smooth, his gait smoothed by hobbles, cruised to an effortless victory in Monday's opening leg of the Triple Diamond, an early-closing series for 3- and 4-year-old colt and gelding trotters at The Meadows. Boiler Spur Blur captured the other $15,000 opening-leg division.

 

Staying Smooth had displayed flashes of ability but also breaking problems before trainer Steve Bush rigged him with hobbles prior to his last start, when he finished a strong second. In the Triple Diamond, Staying Smooth powered to the front for Tony Hall and widened his lead, scoring in 1:58.3 on a sloppy surface. King Chip K rallied for place, 7 1/4 lengths back, with Fun N Pleasure a distant third.

 

Mark Zallenick, Russell Zallenick and Bush own Staying Smooth, a 4-year-old son of Conway Hall-Armbro Sassafras.

 

Boiler Spur Blur made up five lengths late for Dave Palone to triumph in 1:59.2, a neck better than Chip Chip Mac. Tutto Pagato was third. Kent Sherman trains the 4-year-old Kentucky Spur-Albas Reward gelding for Keith Pippi.

 

In the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace, 8-1 Cadie's Gotta Gun went from worst to first with a powerful wide rally that carried her to a half-length victory in 1:54.4 for Brett Miller. Northern Lei Ann closed well for second while 4-5 favorite McGibson saved show.

 

Spencer Kahrig trains Cadie's Gotta Gun, a 5-year-old Gunthatwonthewest-Timeless Cadie mare who has won three of her last four starts, for Richard Copp.

 

Miller drove four winners and Palone three on the 13-race card. (The Meadows)