Jul 2, 2018 3 min read

At The Meadows

Looked in the eye by a serious challenger at the top of the lane, Fast Reaction found another gear and scored at first asking in a stake-fastest 1:58.1 in Monday’s $80,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event at The Meadows. The stake for freshman filly trotters was contested over four divisions, with Ridinonarainbow, Averie Hanover and Southwind Storm taking the other splits.

Fast Reaction had brushed past Wildfire Seelster down the backside, but that rival regained momentum out of the final turn and looked like the winner. That’s when Fast Reaction dug in and downed her by 1-1/2 lengths, with Giant Possession well back in third.

Ridinonarainbow, who won a PA Fairs stake at Hughesville in her career debut, extended her unbeaten streak with a facile front-end victory in 1:59.2 for trainer/driver Todd Schadel, who campaigns the homebred daughter of Muscle Massive-Cantab Cabela with Christine Schadel. The pocket-sitting Madam Donato was second, 3/4 lengths back, while Tough Tootsie completed the ticket.

Averie Hanover provided the stake’s tote board fireworks, triumphing at 35-1 in her career debut, remaining calm despite breaks by trotters beside her and ahead of her.

Richard Hess owns the daughter of Detour Hanover-Allamerican Phoebe, a $9,000 yearling acquisition, who prevailed in 2:02.4. Meserati was second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, with Shiraz third.

In the $20,000 Preferred Handicap Trot, Wind Of The North made it two straight in the Lightning Lane for Aaron Merriman and owner/trainer Bill Bercury when he surged late to nip the half brothers Classicality and Trustworthy Kid in 1:53.3. The 8-year-old Cantab Hall-Talk To The Wind gelding now boasts career earnings of $934,848.

Dave Palone and Merriman each collected three wins on the 13-race card.

Kuhnhackl, Rowney find new homes

Former Penguins’ winger Tom Kuhnhackl agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.

Kuhnhackl, who spent three seasons with Pittsburgh, totaled 11 goals and 28 assists in 168 games. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NHL Draft, he played four seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the American Hockey League before being called up to the Penguins.

Center Carter Rowney signed a three-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks.

The two were the only unrestricted free agents who appeared in at least one playoff game for the Penguins last season.

Wanamaker lands with Celtics

After spending the last seven years playing in Europe, former Pitt guard Brad Wanamaker was signed by the Boston Celtics.

Wanamaker, a Philadelphia native, played 69 games with Fenerbahce Ulker of the Euroleague in 2017-18, averaging 11.5 points. The team won the Turkish league championship and he was named finals MVP.

In four years at Pitt, Wanamaker averaged 7.9 points while shooting 43.7 percent.

Neal signs

with Calgary

Calgary signed forward James Neal to a five-year, $28.75 million contract on Monday, giving Johnny Gaudreau and the rest of the Flames a much-needed scoring boost.

Neal has topped 20 goals in each of his 10 NHL seasons, and was considered the top player left on the free-agent market a day after the NHL’s signing period opened.

Calgary becomes Neal’s third team in as many seasons. He was selected by Vegas in the NHL expansion draft a year ago, and scored 25 goals and 44 points in 71 games for the Golden Knights.

The 30-year-old Neal also played for Pittsburgh and Nashville, and has 263 goals and 495 points in 703 career games.