When harness racing legend Dave Palone makes a rare appearance on the Grand Circuit, it’s worth paying attention, and on Wednesday (Sept. 17) at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, the reason was clear.

 

Palone guided Spoon Fed, a promising daughter of Stay Hungry, to a dominant gate-to-wire victory in the second division of the $50,500 (div.) Standardbred two-year-old filly pace. The filly lived up to her billing as the prohibitive favorite, stopping the clock in 1:53.2 and finishing 3½ lengths ahead of her closest competition.

 

Existential (driven by Tim Tetrick) closed with a powerful three-wide move around the final turn to claim second, while Joyful Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) rounded out the top three.

 

The homebred is co-owned by Jan Snyder and trainer Douglas Snyder.

 

Palone is the sport’s all-time winningest driver with 21,355 trips to the winner’s circle.

 

Real Fast was just that in the first division of the Standardbred for two-year-old filly pacers.

 

The equine Real Fast went gate-to-wire to defeat Kilauea Hanover (Mike Wilder) and Ruby Vuitton (Chris Page) in a lifetime best 1:53.

 

With the win Real Fast pick up her fourth win in six starts.

 

The Papi Rob Hanover lass is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Slaughter Racing Stable.

 

Thai Hanover Takes $48,000 Standardbred Colt Pace

Thai Hanover (Jeremy Indof) was gunned off the gates wings and cleared the field before the eighth pole and was able to keep his five rivals behind him in the Standardbred freshman colt pace.

 

In A Minute (Marcus Miller) finished second and C Millertimeagain (Tim Tetrick) completed the trifecta.

 

The winning time of 1:52.1 equaled the freshman’s career mark.

 

Trainer Mitchell York co-owns the Stay Hungry gelding with Erin York.

 

Captain Jordan Scores In Standardbred

Captain Jordan survived a late break in stride, but gathered himself up in time to record a 1:55.3 victory in the $48,200 Standardbred trot for freshman colt trotters.

 

As the 1/9 favorite, Captain Jordan was gunned to the lead and cut the fractions of :27.2; :56.1 & 1:25.2.

 

The eventual winner had a five-length lead when he made a break in stride. The trotter came back on stride and crossed the finish line 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Tymal Kryptonite (Brady Brown) and Rico Tubbs (Anthony MacDonald).

 

Scott Di Domenico trained the winner for Joseph Faraldo and Triple D Stables.

 

Standardbred Two-Year-Old Filly Trotters Splits To Meadowbrook Ashley and Cherry’s Girl

In the second division of the Standardbred for two-year-old filly trotters, Meadowbrook Ashley (Dexter Dunn) overcame the outside post #7 and used a grinding first-over trip to secure the 3-length win.

 

Wendalyn Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) rallied for second and Skyline Salty Girl (Mike Wilder) was third.

 

The winning time of 1:56 established a new lifetime mark for Meadowbrook Ashley.

 

The You Know You Do filly is owned by the trio of Julie Rideout, Alan White and Dave Gamble. Doug Rideout is the conditioner.

 

Cherry’s Girl (Anthony MacDonald) went gate-to-wire to secure her second career win in the first $25,050 division in 1:57.

 

Rina Labelle (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) made a late charge but came up a neck short. K-Lyn (Lewayne Miller) rounded out the trifecta.

 

Cherry’s Girl is owned by the fractional ownership group TheStable.ca and Hutchison Harness.

The Captain Corey lass was a $42,000 yearling purchase last year and now has earned $41,721.

 

A Trio of OBC Freshman Colt Paces Held

Crocodile Station (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) cruised to a one length score in the third and final division of the Ohio Breeders Championship for freshman colt pacers in 1:52.

 

Swelce (Mike Wilder) and When Is Parade (Chris Page) completed the top three.

Michael Hitchcock trains Crocodile Station for William A. Hartt.

 

The gelded son of Downbytheseaside won for the fourth time in eight seasonal starts and with the lion’s share of the purse his earnings jumped to $129,232.

 

Backninebar protected his rail position and led the field for all but a couple of strides and cruised to a 2 ½ length score in the second $52,264 division in 1:52.2.

 

Backninebar (Chris Page) and Thunder Jam (Tyler Smith), from post 6, battled early. Thunder Jam cleared to the lead but the eventual winner came right back to retake control past the opening quarter in :27.3.

 

Backninebar tripped the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.

 

Thunder Jam held on for second and Spanky McGee (Mike Micallef) came in third.

 

The homebred son of Downbytheseaside has won back-to-back starts for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services.

 

The trainer/driver combo of Jessica and Cameron McCown scored one for the home team as Heerz Corinthian held on from late charges from Odds On Ray (Dexter Dunn) and Simon Sez Go (Chris Lems) to win the first division.

 

Heerz Corinthian, who has won half of his eight-career starts, is owned by the partnership of Heerzthestiock, Tripoli Stable and Susan Sullivan.

 

The McCown’s train their stable at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

 

The 20-race Jug Day card will start at 11:00 AM. Free past performance pages are available on LittleBrownJug.com.

Brad Conrad Photos