Exciting battle in fastest heat

IN AN exciting battle of promising youngsters, Tie One On outkicked Dreamonhigh in the slop to capture the fastest division of Thursday’s $54,000 Arden Downs Grand Circuit Stake at The Meadows.

The event for two-year-old filly trotters, known as the Edward M. Ryan, was contested over three divisions, with Gumdrop Hanover and I’m Happy Hanover taking the other splits.

Tie One On had broken her maiden on the front end, but in the Ed Ryan, she yielded to the pocket for Hunter Myers and allowed Dreamonhigh to do the heavy lifting.

The daughter of Bar Hopping-Twin B Alibi rated kindly and sailed home in 1:55.2 — a tick off the stake record — downing Dreamonhigh by a head. Miss Principle finished third.

“She’s wonderful to work with, a sweet disposition,” said trainer Tim Twaddle, who trains Tie One On for Thestable Tie One On.

“Anthony MacDonald gets all the credit for buying her and developing her. She’s the full package.

“This race was a measuring stick for whether she was a stallion series or a sires stake filly. This performance showed she’s a sires’ stake-calibre horse.”

Gumdrop Hanover needed the entire opening panel to reach the point for Mike Wilder, but the daughter of Bar Hopping-Grits’ N Seven had little pressure thereafter, defeating Sister Swell by four lengths in 1:58. Sabrina Hill completed the ticket.

“Nothing fazes her; she’s a gutsy little filly,” said winning trainer David Wiest. “She’s not a big, strong filly, but she’ll fill out real nice next year. Right now, she’s doing a perfect job.”

Edward Kimmel and David Wiest Stables campaign Gumdrop Hanover, a $27,000 yearling acquisition who’s likely to remain in Pennsylvania stakes for the balance of the season.

I’m Happy Hanover was making her first start in the Mike Palone stable, so Thursday was the first time winning driver Dave Palone got a look at her. He liked what he saw . . . and how she performed.

“I’d never seen her until I went out to pick her up for the post parade, so I really didn’t know what to expect,” Dave said. “She did everything, ear plugs still in. It was a pretty good mile for these conditions.”

The daughter of Muscle Hill-I’m On Cloud Nine quarter-poled to the top, yielded the lead, then powered through the lane to triumph in 1:59.

Early leader Shayna Rosa was second, beaten a length, with Curry Hanover third.

I’m Happy Hanover races for Yves Sarrazin, Kapildeo Singh, Dumain Haven Farm and Danielle Henri.

Palone and trainer Carl Cocciolone each enjoyed a three-bagger on the 13-race card.

• EVAN PATTAK