Penpal ultra
impressive again for Lachance
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (April 7, 2017) – Forgotten on
the tote board in a talented and deep field, J A T O scored a 25/1 upset in the
$20,000 featured trot at the Meadowlands on Friday night.
J A T O, the former two-time New York County Fair Sire Stake
champion, has blossomed into a high-level trotter in the barn of leading
trainer Ron Burke.
Favored Melady's Monet moved to the front from his outside
post position before a half mile in :56. Meanwhile, Anthony Napolitano, who is
expected to become a Friday night regular in the Meadowlands driving colony,
had J A T O perfectly positioned in a second-over trip following Crosbys Clam
Bake. Past three-quarters in 1:25.1, Napolitano tipped J A T O three wide and
grinded by Melady's Monet in deep stretch to win by a neck in 1:54.1.
B Yoyo rallied for third with Muscle Diamond fourth.
J A T O paid $52.60 for a $2 win bet and keyed a $2 trifecta
worth $1,906.40.
It was J A T O's 33rd lifetime win from 52 career starts.
His earnings move to $155,648 for owners Our Horse Cents Stables, Burke Racing,
J&T Silva Stables, and Rossie Smith.
In the co-feature, Penpal turned in another jaw-dropping
performance for trainer/driver Pat Lachance. The stakes-placed 4-year-old mare
settled in last for the first half mile before launching an eye-catching move
three-wide to make the front by the top of the stretch. From there, the career
earner of more than $300,000 opened up to win by two lengths in 1:51.4,
last quarter in :27.1.
Penpal is nominated to The Golden Girls, Lady Liberty, and
TVG Mares Pace.
David Miller and Jim Marohn, Jr. posted driving doubles.
Total handle was $2,507,013.
Racing resumes Saturday with an 11-race program headlined by
a $20,000 conditioned pace. Post time is 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.
