Virtuous Western takes Keystone Classic split at 15-1

Dissed by bettors despite her 39-1 victory in the Reynolds, Virtuous Western responded with yet another stake victory at outrageous odds in a division of the $119,600 Keystone Classic for freshman filly pacers Monday night at The Meadows. The stake for Pennsylvania-breds was contested over five divisions, with Sweet Bobbie Ann, Moonlit Flash, Bon Mot and Caviart Vegas taking the other splits.

Even with her rally in the Reynolds that erased a 13-length deficit, Virtuous Western was let go at 15-1. That didn't deter the youngster or trainer-driver Roger Hammer, who sent the daughter of Western Hanover on a third-over trip after falling behind by 8 1/2 lengths.

Despite an occasionally erratic gait, Virtuous Western roared through the stretch to win in 1:55.4 by a half length over 2-5 favorite Chester County, with Celebrate America a distant third.

“I guess they thought it was a fluke last week,” said Hammer, who owns the $20,000 yearling purchase with Vicki Lynn Fair. “But she's a good filly who's just coming to herself.

“I like her breeding. Her mother had a mark of 1:50.2 and made over $1 million. That's the reason I bought her. I figure, maybe get a good record on her and she'll be worth something as a broodmare.”

Sweet Bobbie Ann, who broke stride in her only previous start, switched to aluminum shoes for the Keystone Classic. The move by trainer Robert Myers Sr. paid off, as the daughter of Dragon Again charged through the “Lightning Lane” to score in 1:55.3, fastest win in the stake. Ty's Artist was three-quarters of a length back in second while Oh I Wish finished third.

“Training down, she really didn't show that much,” Myers said. “She was really small when we started breaking her, didn't want to eat. So we worked on her and, God bless her, I'm really proud of her.”

John F. Myers and Ronald Mersky own Sweet Bobbie Ann, who also is eligible to Virginia stakes.

Moonlit Flash, a two-race maiden entering the Keystone Classic, powered home with a four-wide move launched in the final turn. She scored in 1:57.1, 2 1/2 lengths better than Sayo Hanover. Native Smile was third. Winning driver Doug Snyder said Moonlit Flash wasn't helped by a recall occasioned by broken equipment on the favorite, Pembroke Lil.

“The recall changed everything,” Snyder said. “After the recall, I had her too calm. That's why we didn't get away as well. I had to take hold of her a couple times, and she wasn't really happy about that. When I finally tipped her the last time, I thought, 'Heck with this, we're going now.'”

Joe Seekman trains the daughter of Western Hanover for Van D. Long Jr. and Phyllis M. Long. (The Meadows)

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