Swoosh Hanover wins fifth straight in PASS split

Swoosh Hanover swept to the lead at the quarter pole and trotted on to an effortless victory—her fifth straight—in a division of a $202,860 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for 3-year-old fillies Tuesday at The Meadows.

The stake, known as the Meadow Bright, was contested over four divisions, with Poster Pin Up, Hawaiianphotograph and Custom Model taking the other splits. Dave Palone enjoyed a driving double behind Poster Pin Up and Hawaiianphotograph.

Driver Tony Hall said he planned the quarter-pole move with Swoosh Hanover after consulting with her connections.

"That was my plan all along as long as I got off the gate safe and sound,” Hall said. “I was told that once she gets on the lead, she’s reluctant to let a horse go by her. She’s about as handy as a horse can be. I never sat behind her before, but on paper, it looked like she was push-button.”

The daughter of Lindy Lane-Swift Kathy scored in 1:55.2, 1 3/4 lengths better than the pocket-sitting Dancing On Stage. Olivia’s Jewel trotted evenly to collect show money. Richard Johnson trains Swoosh Hanover for Fabulous Farms LLC.

Poster Pin Up had a similarly facile victory, although Palone adjusted his pre-race strategy when two horses jumped offstride early.

“We had planned on racing her from behind,” Palone said, “but every time I looked over, a horse was on a break. So we just let her float down the road.”

As a result, Poster Pin Up found herself in an unaccustomed role—early leader. The daughter of Andover Hall-Poster Princess handled it admirably, drawing off to win by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:55.4 over Corfu Hanover, with Taboo Yankee well back in third.

Trond Smedshammer trains Poster Pin Up for the partnership of Gewertz, Frank, Feldman and Rojan Stables.

Hawaiianphotograph extended her win streak to three—and pushed her career bankroll over $185,000—with a win in 1:56 highlighted by a quarter-pole brush to the front. She scored in 1:56, with Carolling 1 1/2 lengths back in second. Charged Freight completed the ticket.

Bill Zendt, who trains the homebred daughter of S J’s Photo-Hawaiian Rose for Shanamphilaniklou, said he toyed with the idea of trying the filly in the Hambletonian Oaks rather than the PASS.

“I didn’t have her quite ready early in the season, but she’s really improved now,” Zendt said. “We decided to stay in Pennsylvania rather than go to the Oaks because we thought we were one of the best here. Up there, we probably would have been racing for a check depending on the draw.”

He said Hawaiianphotograph remains eligible for such national stakes as the Breeders Crown and the Matron.

MEADOW BRIGHT NOTES: Allamerican Phoebe led every step and held on for a neck victory in 2:01.1 in the $33,000 final of the Mary Wohlmuth series for freshman trotting fillies. Palone drove for trainer Mickey Burke and owners Sylvia Burke, Lawrence Karr and Thomas Cherichello...In the $23,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot, Wizard Springs scored a 7-1 upset victory in 1:56.3 with a sustained outside bid. Randy Tharps drove for trainer Kris Rickert and the partnership of Lo Castro, Lo Castro and Miller. (The Meadows)

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