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  • Still disappointed by his sickness scratch from the Little Brown Jug, Timeisonmyside took out his frustration on his rivals in Saturday’s Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, rolling to an easy 3-1/2-length victory. Solid Character captured the other division in the $67,900 stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

     

    The Jug scratch hurt even more because Timeisonmyside already had drawn the rail for his elimination. But Tim Twaddle, who trains the Captain Crunch-Macharoundtheclock gelding for TheStable Timeisonmyside Group, said the decision to scratch didn’t require much soul-searching.

     

    “He came up sick,” Twaddle said. “He didn’t eat his breakfast, and we didn’t want to risk going there, shipping him there early and then potentially racing him two heats. As badly as we wanted to go, it would certainly have hurt the horse. It’s tough to get over, though his win today helps.”

     

    In the Keystone Classic, Timeisonmyside quarter-poled to the top for Aaron Merriman and triumphed in 1:49.3, matching his career best, with Captain Fear Not and Dream Bird second and third, respectively. Twaddle indicated Timeisonmyside, who lifted his lifetime earnings to $263,130, will be pointed to the Breeders Crown.

     

    Solid Character gave the cold shoulder to Rush In when that one tried to overtake him at the quarter, forcing Rush In to retreat to the pylons. That decision by Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. proved wise, as Solid Character cruised to a 2-length win over Rush In in 1:49.2, a lifetime mark. De La Hoya Hanover finished third.

     

    Wrenn declined to characterize his quarter-pole denial as “hardball.”

     

    “I thought it was kind of a two-horse race,” Wrenn said. “I just wanted to control the pace.”

     

    Ron Burke conditions the Sweet Lou-Riley Character gelding for Burke Racing Stable, Robert Jackson, Timothy Sullivan and Tom Wilson.

  • BRUE HANOVER EQUALS 1:49.1 STAKE RECORD IN MEADOWS KEYSTONE CLASSIC

     WASHINGTON, PA, Sept. 29, 2023  — Brue Hanover made up 1-1/2 lengths in the Lightning Lane and scored in 1:49.1, matching the stake record in Friday’s $69,100 Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Muskateer Hanover also used the Lightning Lane to capture the other division in the event for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

     

    It was the final day of the 2023 stakes season at The Meadows, and Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. and trainer Ron Burke made the most of it. Burke started 18 horses over the 14-race card and won six races — four with Wrenn aboard. Hunter Myers and Dave Palone also enjoyed big days with three victories apiece.

     

    Brue Hanover sprinted to the early lead but soon found himself second behind Fulton, who was hard used from post 8. But even as Tip Top Cat took the point first over, winning driver Brady Brown was confident of his chances.

     

    “I knew I would get down in the passing lane pretty early because the horse on the lead was kind of bearing out, so I knew I would get a straight shot earlier,” Brown said. “I thought I’d run them down pretty quick.”

     

    The Stay Hungry-Blind Ambition gelding, who has earned $136,091 for Burke and owner Brad Grant, downed Tip Top Cat by 1/2 length while Ervin Hanover finished third to give Burke a sweep of the top three spots. Brue Hanover’s time matched the record I Like Dreamin established in 2012.

     

    The scenario was similar for Muskateer Hanover as he brushed through the Lightning Lane to prevail in a career-best 1:49.4 for Myers and Burke. Just Bet It All rallied for second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, with early leader Idiosyncratic third.

     

    “He kind of bears in a little bit in the last turn, so as soon as I got some room, I was trying to get down in there as fast as I could go,” Myers said. “I knew it was a good spot.”

     

    Burke Racing Stable, Jim Simpson, Bridgette Jablonsky and Wingfield Five campaign the Sweet Lou-Marinade Hanover gelding.

  • Sept. 17, 2022  — Forced to retreat early by a hot pace, Birthday blew out those hot candles late when he pounced on the tiring leaders and captured a division of Saturday’s $55,750 Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Hecandancencruise took the other division of the stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

     

    Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. sent Birthday for the top from post 3 but tucked in fourth when Captain Cowboy threw down a contested 25.4 opening panel.

     

    “I was hoping to get away a little better, ideally a trip behind one of the favorites,” Wrenn said. “Once they were rolling out of there, I had no choice but to surrender. My horse is very willing to pass late.”

    Moving widest of all in the lane, Birthday edged Layton Hanover by a head in a career-best 1:50, with the first-over Code Cracker third.

     Ron Burke trains Birthday for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Not only did the Sweet Lou-Breakheart Pass lift his career earnings to $228,185, but he also probably punched his ticket to next week’s Little Brown Jug.

     

    “That was what we were looking for from him, so we’ll probably send him,” Burke said. “He has better last year than at the beginning of this year, but with the equipment changes we’ve been making, he’s improved. He’s figuring it out.”

    Dave Palone pulled the pocket with Hecandancencruise down the backside and made the move pay off, edging 1-5 favorite Energetic Hanover by a neck in 1:50, a lietime mark, with Unsung Hero third.

    “Dave gave him the trip that he needed to be right there,” said Mark Harder, who trains the A Rocknroll Dance-She Can cruise gelding for Philip Steinberg and Dana Steinberg. “The horse fights; he’s okay. He’s improving and he looks after himself. Just a nice horse.”

     

    Hecandancencruise vaulted over $100,000 in lifetime earnings but isn’t eligible for any of the rich year-end stakes. Will he return to race at 4?

     

    “Why not?” Harder said. “A lot of people are looking to get horses like this, and we’ve got one.”

  • $83,700 Keystone Classic — 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace

     

    Friday’s co-feature was a showcase for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., who swept the event behind Lou’s Pearlman and Chase H Hanover.

     

    The victory by Lou’s Pearlman, the 3-5 favorite, was no surprise, as it followed his 1:49.4 triumph in the PA Sires Stake final. In the Keystone Classic, the son of Sweet Lou-Lucy’s Pearl was just about push-button for Wrenn, quarter-poling to the top and easily defeating his stablemate, Emblaze Hanover, by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:50.4. Early leader Mysweetboymax finished third.

     

    “Since he added Lasix, he’s been really good.” Wrenn said. “I expect him to be really sharp next week in the Jug. He’s good gaited and handles the turns well, so I think the half-mile- track will be no problem for him.”

     

    Ron Burke trains Lou’s Pearlman, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $444.586, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Elizabeth Novak and Howard Taylor.

     

    Wrenn credits the winning performance of Chase H Hanover to the bridle change implemented by trainer Scott Cox.

     

    “Scott closed him back up, and he raced a lot better,” Wrenn said. “He had a lot more coming home.”

     

    Although stretched out by Carbine while trying for the early lead, Chase H Hanover prevailed in 1:50.1, a length better than His Beats Hanover, with Carbine third. The Captaintreacherous-Calgary Hanover now has banked $451,350 for owners Cox and Jason Ash.

     

    Wrenn finished the 13-race card with four wins, including three for Burke.

  • $68,300 Keystone Classic — 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace

     

    Speaking of peaking at the right time, Sandbetweenmytoes scored in 1:50 in Friday’s co-feature, giving him three wins in the last four starts — all in 1:50 or faster. Trainer Jim Campbell agreed that Fashion Farms’ homebred Somebeachsomewhere-Galleria gelding is more confident and sure gaited than he was early in the season.

     

    “Unfortunately, his only bad race in the last four was the PA Sites Stake championship,” Campbell said. “We’ll take him to Delaware for the Jug. I think he’ll get around there good. He gets around a five-eighths-mile track pretty good, and that’s the best half-mile track in the country at Delaware. I don’t foresee any problems.”

     

    Sandbetweenmytoes quarter-poled to the top for Scott Zeron and defeated early leader Tru Lou by 2-1/4 lengths. Seeyou At Thebeach completed the ticket. The winner extended his career earnings to $177,142.

     

    You knew Burke would make some noise in this stake — he sent out 10 of the 17 starters — and he spoke loudly in the other split, sweeping the exacta with Cattlewash and The Greek Freak. Cattlewash shot the Lightning Lane for David Miller to prevail in 1:51. Ruthless Hanover earned show.

     

    “He’s coming around at the right time, and I’m happy to be on board,” Miller said. “If he goes to the Jug, he’ll handle the half-mile track just fine. He’s a beautifully gaited horse.”

     

    The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Road Bet now boasts $424,908 in career earnings for owner William Donovan.

     

    Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday when the 13-race card features a $26,773.07 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5 and a $5,000 total-pool guarantee for the Early Pick 4 (race 3). First post is 12:45 PM.

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  • As expected, heavy favorites Blackhawk Zette (1-9) and Usain Hanover (6-5) subdued overmatched competition, each winning a split in Thursday’s  $55,550 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

     

    Fresh off a third-place finish to national star T C I in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes championship, Blackhawk Zette had an opportunity to drop in third from the gate in the Keystone Classic, but neither he nor driver Matt Kakaley was interested in an early seat.

     

    Instead, the son of Cantab Hall-Zette Starlet powered to the point before yielding it to the first-over Ordained. In the final turn, Blackhawk Zette exploded past Ordained and defeated him by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:53.3. Long shot Thaler Hanover rallied for show.

     

    “Honestly, I didn’t think it really mattered what I did with him as long as I didn’t get him in a bad spot where he was trapped in,” Kakaley said. “He’s up there (with the best in his division). He tries, and he’s beautiful to drive.”

     

    Blackhawk Zette now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $260,079 for trainer Robert Baggitt, Jr. and owner J.L. Sadowsky LLC.

     

    Usain Hanover, who finished second in that PASS final, trotted patiently in third until Dave Palone sent him first up after the leader, Green Pastures. The Bar Hopping-Up Front Hotsey gelding cleared in a heartbeat and downed Activation — under wraps — by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53.4. Going Green finished third.

     

    “He’s coming out of sires stake company, and this was probably a softening for him,” Palone said. “I thought if I could sit two turns, we were probably in good shape. I never removed his earplugs; he was shut down late. He’s a fresh horse for this late in the season.”

     

    Nifty Norman conditions Usain Hanover, who boosted his career earnings to $195,589, for Enzed Racing Stable Inc.

  • FRESH OFF DELAWARE FAIR TRACK RECORD, HERODOTUS TROTS EVEN FASTER IN MEADOWS KEYSTONE CLASSIC

    Sept. 28, 2023  —Fresh off his 1:53.1 Delaware Fairgrounds track record, Herodotus was even faster in Thursday’s $48,950 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, scoring under wraps in a career-best 1:52.4. Spitfire Oversees was an overwhelming winner in the other division, giving Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. a Keystone Classic split.

     

    Players hammered Herodotus down to 1-2 off his Old Oaken Bucket triumph, and he did not disappoint, seizing the early lead and staying there. Even when Sinatra De Vie loomed large in the lane, Wrenn never so much as shook the reins at the Bar Hopping-Regal Woman gelding, who defeated Sinatra De Vie by a length and lifted his lifetime bankroll to $282,193. Big Boy Ernest finished third.

     

    “He trotted 1:52.4 pretty easy today — the plugs were still in,” Wrenn said. “Today was a little bit lesser competition for him, but he handled it pretty well. I had to steady him a bit in the turns, but I was pretty much just along for the ride.”

     

    Wrenn sent Spitfire Oversees on an extended quarter-pole move that didn’t end until he crossed over near the half. But the son of International Moni-Legal Lady was more than up the task, drawing off to a 7-length cakewalk in 1:53.2, matching his lifetime mark. Open Bar and HS Winchester rounded out the ticket.

     

    “He still has the Breeders Crown on the table; I don’t know if he’ll be good enough to head that way,” said Tim Twaddle, who trains the winner — who now boasts a career bankroll of $146,504 — for TheStable Spitfireoversses Group. ”That’s only his fourth win, so he can terrorize them in conditions here over the next few weeks.”

  • Sept. 15, 2022  — Emerald’s Legacy refused to yield the lead to two early challengers — the winning decision, as it turned out, as he went on to widen that lead late and capture a division of Thursday’s Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Troycen took the other split in the $46,350 stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

     

    While Emerald’s Legacy was trying to protect rail position, he was confronted by Kosher Mahoney and Southwind Caine outside him. Winning driver Dave Palone kept the pedal to the metal.

     

    “ I would have been content to follow one horse, but there were two leaving, and I didn’t want to get away worse than second,” Palone said. “I thought I would just bounce along and take my best chance on the lead. He was really good. He sprinted home well within himself. I think this horse will be a terrific aged trotter.”

     

    No other credible challengers emerged, and Emerald’s Legacy triumphed in 1:54.2, 2-3/4 lengths better than Kosher Mahoney. Ice Breakers K completed the ticket.

    Scott Betts trains Emerald’s Legacy, a Father Patrick gelding, for Tim Betts, Nick Catalano, Keith Pippi and the colt’s breeder, Shanamphilaniklou, Inc.

     

    Bigly, a 35-1 bomber, stretched Troycen early, keeping him outside for the first three-eighths, then challenged him from the pocket in the lane. But the Cantab Hall-Love My Muscles gelding was up to the task for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., downing Bigly by a neck in 1:56. Torrone was third.

     

    “He seemed like a very willing colt,” Wrenn said. “Once I got to the front, he did the rest. He was pretty handy.”

    Ron Burke trains Troycen, who now has won two straight since adding hopples, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Frank Canzone.

  • $69,550 Keystone Classic — 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot

     

    Thursday’s co-feature showcased a pair of trotters, Redwhite N Goo and Plumville Prince, winning their first stakes this season. For Redwhite N Goo, it was the initial stakes win of his career.

     

    Zeron, who piloted Plumville Prince, indicated the son of Father Patrick-Lady Athens was meant to be a top colt until an injury sidelined him after five starts last year.

     

    “He was a really talented horse — won an elimination of the Peter Haughton in 1:54 with his earplugs in,” Zeron said. “I thought he would have a spectacular year. Then he broke a coffin bone. It was unlucky, but the talent was always there.

     

    “My dad (trainer Rick Zeron) did a good job of giving him the right amount of time. I was happy that he delivered in only his third start back.

     

    Plumville Prince trotted patiently along the cones in third, but when Zeron showed him racetrack late, he rolled past the leader, Whiskey Blu, to defeat him by 1/2 length in 1:54.1. Capstone was a ground-saving third.

     

    Thomas Brice and Charles Receski campaign Plumville Prince.

     

    Redwhite N Goo had shown both flashes of brilliance and unruliness this year, winning some races for fun, making unforced breaks in others.

     

    “He’s done some impressive things, and (regular driver) Mike (Wilder) has a lot of confidence in him, so I thought I’d give him a crack,” said Scott Betts who trains the Googoo Gaagaa-Redwhitenbluestone gelding for Tim Betts. “He likes to be turned out, likes to train the wrong way on the track. He kind of does his own thing. He’s still learning.”

  • Sept. 18, 2020 — Amigo Volo powered to a professional, purposeful victory in Friday’s Keystone Classic at The Meadows, serving notice to his division rivals that he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in rich late-season stakes. Patriarch Hanover took the other division in the $79,700 stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

     

    Considered one of the division’s best early in the year, Amigo Volo finished third in his Hambletonian elimination and fourth in the final, despite being stuck with post 10. While that performance may have downgraded him in the eyes of some, he’s now won three straight — including the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stake championship — and appears razor sharp.

     

    “He’s on his way out to Lexington, so it was the perfect spot for him to come here and come calling through,” said winning driver Dexter Dunn. “He’s in his top form at the moment. As long as he keeps that form, I’m sure he’ll be competitive in the big races.”

     

    In the Keystone Classic, the Father Patrick-Margarita Momma gelding shrugged off the unexpected first-up challenge of long shot Focus Pocus and prevailed in 1:54.3. The pocket-sitting Harley K was 2-1/2 lengths back in second while Focus Pocus saved show.

     

    Amigo Volo now has banked $966,644 for trainer Nifty Norman and owners Pinske Stables and David J. Miller.

     

    Patriarch Hanover quarter-poled to the point for Matt Kakaley and downed early leader Town Victor by 3/4 lengths in 1:55.3, with Nezblanc third.

     

    “He’s just a step behind a couple of the top sires stake horses,” Kakaley said of the son of Father Patrick-Personal Style, “but he gives his all every time, and he’s made some money. He’s had a respectable year so far.”

     

    Ron Burke trains Patriarch Hanover, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $235,266, for Burke Racing Stable, William Switala, James Martin and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

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  • Pennsylvania champion Papi’s Rocket converted a pocket trip to a sharp 1:50.4 victory in Friday’s Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Wedlock Blue Chip captured the other division of the $82,700 stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers.

     

    Papi’s Rocket let Dreamboat Hanover do the dirty work up front before overtaking him in mid-stretch. But winning driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. indicated at that point, Dreamboat Hanover wasn’t his principal concern.

     

    “I was a little nervous leaving the two hole early because I thought I might be giving a shot to Railroad Station in the passing lane,” Wrenn said. “But I thought it was my time to move. He’s not real big, but he gives 100 percent every time.”

     

    The son of Papi Rob Hanover-Real Touch remained in charge, downing Railroad Station by 1/2 length, with Steamboat Springs a rallying third. Ron Burke trains Papi’s Rocket, who vaulted over $200,000 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Knox Services and Slaughter Racing Stable. Burke sent out eight of Friday’s 16 Keystone Classic starters.

     

    Wedlock Blue Chip had only a qualifier in the past month, but he came back ready, moving crisply first over and drawing off to a 3-1/4-length triumph in 1:53.1. Snack Attack and Lou’s Albano finished second and third, respectively. Roland “Poly” Mallar conditions the son of Bettor’s Wish-Heavenly Bride for Richard Cortese and Don Hawk.

     

    “I think Poly wanted to get a race in him but couldn’t find one for him,” said winning driver Troy Beyer. “But his fitness wasn’t a big concern. Poly always has his horses strong.”

  • SCRATCHED FROM PASS FINAL, CAPTAIN FEAR NOT REBOUNDS WITH KEYSTONE CLASSIC WIN

    Sep 17

    By Evan Pattak For The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association

     WASHINGTON, PA, Sept. 16, 2023 — Captain Fear Not missed his chance at Pennsylvania’s title due to sickness, but he rebounded nicely Saturday at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, capturing a division of a Keystone Classic. Dublin Dasher took the other split in the $82,700 stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers.

     

    Captain Fear Not won a pair of PA Sires Stake events and might have been one of the favorites in the Sept. 2 championship for $252,000. But Kathe Troy, who owns and trains the Captain Crunch-Mikayla Rose gelding, realized his health wouldn’t allow it.

     

    “He had a temperature of 103,” Troy said. “It was an easy decision to make, but it was a real hard decision to make. It was heartbreaking. I said to (winning driver Jeremy Indof): ‘Give him a shot. Don’t baby him. Babying him is my job.’”

     

    Indof was obediently aggressive, barreling to the point before the quarter. Captain Fear Not showed no lingering effects of his illness, defeating Syed Ali K by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:51.4, with Single Action third. Troy said the victory wraps up the youngster’s freshman campaign.

     

    Dublin Dasher hadn’t been in a stake before, but that didn’t keep Jim Pantaleano from hustling him to the front for trainer Hunter Oakes and owners Alan Johnston and H O Racing Inc. The Always B Miki-DB Blue Chip gelding not only turned aside the first-over challenge of 6-5 favorite Rose Run Zeke, but he also wouldn’t allow the pocket-sitting At Ease Hanover to get closer than 1-3/4 lengths at the wire while winning in a career-best 1:51.4. War Machine completed the ticket.

     

    “I drove him early on when Hunter was just stating with him, so I knew the horse had a lot of ability,‘” Pantaleano said. “He was just having colt issues. I spoke with Hunter before the race, and he said the colt was probably ready to go a big trip.”

  • Pennsylvania champion Fulton became the fastest 2-year-old ever at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows when he steamed to a 1:49.4 victory in Friday’s $82,500 Keystone Classic. Lyons Stealth sprang a 7-1 upset in the other division of the stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers.

    It figured to be a soft spot for Fulton; his bankroll was nearly 10 times that of his closest rival. But Linda Toscano, who trains the son of Heston Blue Chip-Bettor Be Steamin, advised winning driver Aaron Merriman not to adopt that mindset.

    “I’ve driven horses for Linda over the years, and she usually has no advice about them,” he said. “But she phoned me and told me last week he went slower fractions and about got himself beat. She told me to let him go where he was comfortable and not go cheap fractions. He’s way better not doing that. And she was correct.”

    Fulton became the fastest 2-year-old ever at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows when he steamed to a 1:49.4 victory in Friday’s $82,500 Keystone Classic. Chris Gooden photo.

    So even as Fulton widened his lead late, Merriman tapped the sulky once to keep him on task. The result: Fulton knocked a tick from the mark Huntsville established in 2016. He also erased the stakes record of 1:51.1 held jointly by Dragon Eddy and Southwind Gendry. Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Bottom Line Racing campaign Fulton, who now has banked $268,542. Lou On The Beach was 7-1/4 lengths back in second, with Lite N Sweet third.

    Bettors installed Annapolis Hanover, runner-up in the PASS championship, as the prohibitive 2-5 favorite in his division, and Hunter Myers, aboard Lyons Stealth, indicated he wouldn’t have disagreed with them.

    “I was hoping to stay as close as I could and hope for a decent check,” Myers said. “I didn’t think he would be blowing by like that.”

    Thus, Myers kept the son of Sweet Lou-Zane Hanover up close in third, and when the field turned for home, he had little trouble zooming by Annapolis Hanover by 1-1/2 lengths in a career-best 1:51.2. Mayweather Hanover completed the ticket. Jim King, Jr. conditions Lyons Stealth for Threelyonsracing.

  • When Lou’s Sassin surged late to capture a $63,750 Keystone Classic for freshman colt and gelding pacers Wedbesday at The Meadows, it was more than another step forward in the ongoing improvement of the Sweet Lou-Sassa Hanover gelding.

     

    First, it topped a 1-2-3 sweep in the event for trainer Ron Burke.

     

    Perhaps more importantly, it lifted winning driver Dave Palone above $150 million in career purses.

     

    “It’s cool for a lot of reasons,” Palone said. “The horse is by my favorite horse on the planet. He’s owned by the Burkes and Weaver-Bruscemi, my biggest supporters throughout my career. And my future son-in-law Sage was in the paddock taking care of him. So it was an awesome, awesome win.”

     

    Lou’s Sassin won his last start in 1:51.2, but in the Keystone Classic, he trailed stablemate Birthday by 2 lengths in the stretch. Palone was confident he could get by.

     

    “Ronnie’s spot on about most of his horses, and he said this guy warmed up great and is starting to figure it out,” he said. “At the sixteenth pole, my horse still had gas.”

     

    Lous Sassin downed Birthday by a head, with Good Deal third. Panhellenic Stable also participates on the winner’s ownership team.

  • Sept. 14, 2020 — Fresh off his triumph in the Pennsylvania Sires Stake championship, Southwind Gendry equaled the stake record 1:51.1 in Monday’s Keystone Classic at The Meadows — although he had to repel a pair of serious challengers to do it. Sweet Angel Boy took the other division in the $88,500 event for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

     

    Although Southwind Gendry typically rallies from mid-pack, David Miller quarter-poled him to the point Monday, where he faced determined bids from the first-over Whichwaytothebeach and the pocket-sitting Chase H Hanover. Southwind Gendry downed Chase H Hanover — also the runner-up in the PASS final — by 3/4 lengths, with Whichwaytothebeach third. The time matched the record Dragon Eddy established in 2014.

     

    “He doesn’t love the front, but he’ll race on the front,” said winning trainer Ron Burke. “When he does things he doesn’t want to and still does them well, you know he’s a pretty good horse.”

     

    The Always B Miki-Gambler’s Passion gelding now has banked $259,369 for Burke Racing Stable, Phillip Collura, Knox Services and J&T Silva-Purnel&Libby.

     

    Sweet Angel Boy and Marcus Miller stung the favorite, Capt Jack Hanover with Dave Palone, through a 26.4 opening quarter before releasing him. That may have made the difference, as Sweet Angel Boy roared by the leader in the Lightning Lane to defeat him by 1-1/2 lengths in a maiden-breaking 1:52.4. Don’t Blame Lou completed the ticket.

     

    “I didn’t have to sting Dave too much. His horse was pretty grabby, and Dave was just letting him rattle,” Miller said. “But it worked out good. I’ve raced against this one several times; he’s a nice horse.”

     

    Jim King, Jr. trains the son of Sweet Lou-Aries Angel for Jo Ann Looney-King.

  • Sept. 28, 2019 — Dismissed at 9-1, Gingras Beach used a confident first-over move to notch his initial stakes victory in Saturday’s $70,900 Keystone Classic at The Meadows. Starship captured the other division in the event for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

     

    Gingras Beach had only three overnight races on his card and was third down the backside behind 3-5 favorite Patriot Nation. But Tony Hall didn’t hesitate to send the son of Somebeachsomewhere-Ginger Shark after Patriot Nation without cover.

     

    “I had confidence in this colt,” Hall said. “He felt great, and it looked like the leader was starting to press into the last turn. So I figured I would get him out and get him in motion. He was strong the whole back half.”

     

    Gingras Beach roared past Patriot Nation and scored in 1:53.2, 2 lengths better than All Hands On Deck. Complete Kaos completed the ticket. Ron Burke trains Gingras Beach for Burke Racing Stable, Yannick Gingras, J&T Silva-Purnel&Libby and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. It was one of four wins for Hall on the 14-race program.

     

    Starship took advantage of an early break by chief rival Tru Lou to back down the second quarter to 29.2. The son of Captaintreacherous-Lifetime Star was unchallenged from there, scoring in 1:53.2 for trainer Kevin Lare and owner Frank Chick. Warrawee Veloce was second, 1-1/2 lengths back, with Lyons Music third.

     

    “Kevin called me a couple hours ago and told me the horse’s tendencies,” said winning driver Dan Rawlings. “He said, ‘he’s not the greatest-gaited horse, but don’t think something’s wrong with him; go forward and you’ll be happy with him.’ He was right.”

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  • Frank Leahy outkicked track record-holder Cheers Hanover in the lane to triumph in Wednesday’s Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Arrowhead Hanover captured the other division of the $77,900 stake for freshman colt and gelding trotters.

     

    On Aug. 2, Cheers Hanover trotted in 1:54 for Hunter Myers, fastest mile ever by a freshman colt trotter. Ironically, in the Keystone Classic, it was Myers trying to pilot Frank Leahy around Myers’ erstwhile partner. Frank Leahy sat an unused third before taking up the attack entering the final turn, so Myers knew the son of Southwind Frank-Regal Woman was fresh.

     

    “Once I saw that the quarter and half were a little soft, I thought it might be tough to catch him. But I got to sit as long as I wanted to. I got to take care of my horse before I had to use him,” Myers said of Frank Leahy, who entered Wednesday’s contest with a single victory on his card — that in an overnight.

     

    Frank Leahy defeated Cheers Hanover by 1/2 length in 1:55.4, with Dignified Wheat third. Ron Burke trains Frank Leahy for Ben Mondello and Fac Racing LLC

     

    In the other division, Arrowhead Hanover won under wraps in 1:55.2 for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., trainer Tim Twaddle and owner TheStable Arrowheadhanover Group. With the victory, the International Moni-Aarena Hanover gelding soared over $100,000 in career earnings.

    Messenger Hanover was second, beaten a length, with The Fix Is In third.

  • $80,500 Keystone Classic — 2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot

     

    Ordained and White Shoe Hanover each won a division of Saturday’s co-feature.

     

    Ordained was a seven-race maiden entering the Keystone Classic, but trainer/driver Charlie Norris confidently sent him to the front. The Father Patrick-Chic Chick gelding led every step, downing Splendid by 1/2 length in 1:56.2. I’m Out finished third.

     

    “He had a little soreness problem behind, not soft tissue or anything, but he was just sore,” Norris said. “We’ve been working on him, doing therapeutic stuff, and he’s really sharp right now. He’s always had the speed and the ability.”

     

    Carrie Norris, Bradley Berlin, Jim Zito and Jerald Barris own Ordained, who will be pointed to the Red Mile and Cumberland Run, Kentucky’s new racing venue.

     

    In his stakes debut, White Shoe Hanover, trailed by 4-1/2 lengths at the three-quarters and had to swing extremely wide for the drive; a victory under those circumstances seemed unlikely. But the Greenshoe-Wood Blue Chip gelding kept rolling for Bradley Chisholm and prevailed in 1:56.4. Highly Motivated was second, beaten 2 lengths, while Two Times The Moni earned show.

     

    “The more room the better with him; he likes to get up the track a little,” Chisholm said.  “When the first half came up under :58, I was fairly confident even though I was a few lengths off them. When he had his two qualifiers, we were thinking about coming to the end with him. We didn’t think he would make it at all. One day it all clicked. He’ll definitely be better in six months’ time.”

     

    Nifty Norman trains White Shoe Hanover for Robynlee Reichard.

  • Sept. 28, 2022  — Commander Frank finally began to live up to his connections’ lofty expectations, brushing wide through the lane to score in Wednesday’s Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Big Baller Beane took the other split in the $75,300 stake for freshman colt and gelding trotters.

     

    Rich Gillock, who trains Commander Frank for Tom Brice, Bart Brice, Charles Receski and Ed Receski, said his group began the season with high hopes for the homebred son of Southwind Frank-Lady Athens.

     

    “If I ever had a good colt all along, I thought it was this one,” he said. “We prepped him for later stakes, and he really disappointed me from the word go. He never made any breaks until we started racing, then he did. Now we have some catching up to do.”

     

    On Wednesday, Commander Frank displayed some of that talent as he followed the live cover of Open Bar, peeled off at the top of the stretch and triumphed for Mike Wilder in 1:57.3 over a “good” surface. Early leader Dwight Hanover saved place, 1-1/4 lengths back, with Open Bar third.

    Gillock said Commander Frank likely would try Grand Circuit racing at the Red Mile before his connections consider the Breeders Crown and the Matron, as he’s eligible to both.

     In his victory, Big Baller Beane showed that the moves you don’t make in a race sometimes can be decisive. That happened when Brady Brown considered retaking the lead with him at the three-eighths, then thought better of it.

     

    “I thought about it,” Brown said. “Then my colt started stepping around a little bit, so I just tucked back in. My horse likes a target anyway. The track’s not the best today, so I hurried up and got back in the hole.”

     

    The Father Patrick-Global Desire gelding enjoyed his pocket trip, roaring past Biscoe in mid-stretch to win in a career-best 1:58.1. Big Boy Ernest rallied for second, beaten 3/4 lengths, while Biscoe saved show. Steve Schoeffel conditions Big Baller Beane for Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel, James Reuther and Roger Romesser.

  • Dribbling Bi followed the cover of heavy favorite Parola Hanover, then blew by him in the lane to pull off a 13-1 upset in Wednesday’s $62,750 Keystone Classic for freshman colt and gelding trotters at The Meadows.

     

    Parola Hanover was hammered down to even money but suffered a demanding trip — out the entire first quarter and then first up. Dribbling Bi and trainer/driver Jeff Gregory took maximum advantage by riding the favorite’s bumper and defeating him by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.3. Big Ben Hanover earned show.

     

    “It worked out like a dream to have us towed into the race,” Gregory said. “We benefited from a real good trip, but my horse beat the favorite. He deserved the win.  We go to the Liberty Bell next, then maybe Lexington. We’re on the fence about that. We’ll see next week.”

     

    Jesmeral Stable campaigns Dribbling Bi, a Cantab Hall-Dream Child Gelding.

  • $91,300 Keystone Classic — 2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot

     

    Arnold N Dicky had a little stake-record magic of his own as he scored in 1:54.2 to lower the previous mark of 1:54.4 set by Giveitgasandgo in 2016.  Although the son of Bar Hopping-Kalibrated raced throughout the Commonwealth this season, all three of his career victories have come at The Meadows.

     

    “When he crosses over, he gets to feeling good about himself, and he’s just waiting for you to ask on him,” said winning driver Palone. “I wasn’t crazy about the way he was gaited at Pocono — both times — but he loves it here. I love to race him when I can be aggressive with him because he doesn’t think anybody can pass him.”

     

    Take All Comers finished second, beaten 3-1/4 lengths, with Lindys Goin Crazy third. Chuck Sylvester trains Arnold N Dicky, who lifted his career earnings to $120,557, and owns with Amy Stoltzfus and Gilbert Short.

     

    In the other division, To Be Frank roared through the Lightning Lane for Tony Hall to edge Capstone by a head. The 1-5 favorite, Sunny Crocket, was a close-up third.

     

    It was the initial win in eight lifetime starts for the Southwind Frank-Kirsi Hanover gelding who, trainer Miles Wollam acknowledged, did not look much like a stakes candidate in his first few starts.

     

    “The owner wanted to keep going with him,” Wollam said. “We got him in with some short fields, and he learned to be a race horse. We have high hopes for him next year because he improved all year long. He wants to do it — that’s the biggest thing.”

     

    Olivia McElrath campaigns To Be Frank, who’ll next race in the Standardbred at the Delaware Fair.

  • Askmelater Hanover rolled to the front and easily turned back the late challenge of Saxon to score in 1:55.2, fastest division in Wednesday’s $90,299 Keystone Classic at The Meadows. The event for freshman colt and gelding trotters was contested over three divisions, with Stickler Hanover and Patriarch Hanover taking the other splits.

     

    Saxon stalked Askmelater Hanover from the pocket and moved wide for the stretch drive. But the Explosive Matter-A Youre Adorable gelding had plenty in the tank and downed Saxon by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2, with Rock Party third.

     

    “He had the horse he needed to beat on his back,” Palone said, “so I just wanted to stay on the gas around the last turn a little bit and not turn it into a complete sprint. He picked me up like a horse is supposed to. When I kicked the plugs out, he trotted back off.”

     

    Julie Miller trains Askmelater Hanover for Scott Woogen and Brenda Messenger.

     

    A son of Explosive Matter-Secret Credit, Stickler Hanover scored on the front end in 1:57.1, quickest of his career. Brady Brown had been racing the youngster primarily from behind but changed his strategy for the Keystone Classic.

     

    “The way the race looked, I figured if I could get to the front and control everything, I didn’t think they’d beat him,” Brown said. “At the three-quarter pole, I kicked out the ear plugs and chirped at him once, and he kept right on trotting.”

     

    Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel, Daniel Goehle and Michael Munn own Stickler Hanover.

     

    Jim Pantaleano and trainer Ron Burke each enjoyed four wins on the 14-race card while Dave Palone fashioned a triple.

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  • Sarasota Hanover turned back Gentrify’s stern challenge and rolled home in a stake-record 1:49.2 in Friday’s $54,750 Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Pressure Cooker captured the other division of the event for 3-year-old filly pacers, giving Dave Palone and trainer Linda Toscano a stake sweep. Overall, Palone enjoyed six wins on the 13-race card.

     

    Sarasota was cruising down the “good” backside when she faced first-over pressure from Gentrify. That changed Palone’s plans.

     

    “I thought maybe I’d give her a breather up the backstretch, and then Gentrify sort of forced my hand,” Palone said. “But when I took the plugs our, she was off on her own. Really an impressive filly. She wouldn’t embarrass herself against any filly in the country.”

     

    Once put to the task, the daughter of Stay Hungry-Surfside Sexy reasserted and defeated Gentrify by a length, with Lou Lou third. The time erased the previous stake mark held jointly by Lispatty and Drama Act.

     

    Jablonsky Held Stable, Camelor Stable Inc., John Fodera and South Mountain Stables campaign Sarasota Hanover, who now boasts a career bankroll of $243,025.

     

    Pressure Cooker quarter-poled to the top and made the move stand up, downing the rallying Stonecoldtreachery by 3/4 lengths in a career-best 1:50.4. Staying With Emily completed the ticket.

     

    “Last time I raced her, I had to use her leaving, and I had a little trouble getting her to relax,” Palone said. “But we were going enough that wasn’t an issue today. The fast fractions actually played into my hands.”

     

    The daughter of Heston Blue Chip-Bettor Be Steamin now has earned $183,476 lifetime for owners Odds On Racing, Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Mac Nichol.

  • $78,100 Keystone Classic — 3-Year-Old Filly Pace

     

    Late For Dinner, Utopia Blue Chip and Beach Cowgirl each took a split in Friday’sco-feature.

     

    The 6-5 favorite, Late For Dinner surrendered the early lead to C Is For Cookie but moved outside in the stretch drive for Wrenn to defeat her by 1/2 length in 1:50.3, fastest win in her career. Racin Hungry completed the ticket.

     

    Wrenn said he much preferred an outside route to the Lightning Lane.

     

    “She was drifting out a little bit,” he said. “I think she would have gone up the passing lane, but I preferred the outside. She seemed a little more comfortable doing that. I thought she’d pace a little bit more that way.”

     

    Burke trains the daughter of Stay Hungry-Ubettergo for owner/breeder William Donovan.

     

    Utopia Blue Chip, on the other hand, was more than happy to use the Lightning Lane for Drew Monti, triumphing by 1-1/2 lengths in a career-fastest 1:50.3. The first up Knights Tale and Hungry Lizzo rounded out the ticket.

     

    “I knew I would have enough racetrack,” Monti said of the daughter of Sweet Lou-Reign On Me. “I was concerned about the leader, who looked a little bit empty going into the last turn. But I thought she had enough to get me to the Lightning Lane. Got lucky — we’ll take it”

     

    Hunter Oakes conditions Utopia Blue Chip for D Racing Stable Inc., B&I Stables LLC, Donald Mac Rae and Earl Hill, Jr.

  • Sept. 16, 2022  — On paper, it appeared that two-time Pennsylvania champion Captain Cowgirl had found a soft spot in Friday’s $50,550 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old filly pacers at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. On the track, that’s exactly the way it worked out, as Captain Cowgirl rolled to an in-hand 1:50.3 victory. Hood Party captured the other division just as easily.

     

    Trainer Jim King, Jr. and owners Jo Ann Looney-King and Kenneth Frieder did not keep Captain Cowgirl eligible to any of the rich year-end stakes, so this was one of her last chances to shine at 3, although the connections do plan to race her next year. And shine she did. Even though it took her the opening three-eighths to reach the lead, Hunter Myers had a snug hold on the daughter of Captaintreacherous-Rideintothesunset for most of the back half.

     

    “I let her go a little bit in the turns to try and get away from them,” Myers said. “But she did everything on her own. She was a Cadillac; I was just a passenger. She’s by far the best filly I’ve ever driven.”

    Captain Cowgirl, who boosted her career bankroll to $554,675, defeated Galleria Hanover by 1-1/4 lengths, with Lydeo third.

    Winning driver Dave Palone had a chance to tuck third early with Hood Party, but he chose to journey on for the lead.

    “This is one where I had the advantage of racing against Hood Party last week,” Palone explained. “I fought this filly right to the last step and barely beat her. She was much better than the line looks. I thought if I could control the mile, that was my best chance to win.”

     

    It was the winning decision, as the daughter of Betting Line-Robin Cruiser cruised home in a career-best 1:51.4 without a serious challenge. Captain’s Star finished second, beaten 3-1/2 lengths, while Somemiki Hanover completed the ticket. Nifty Norman trains Hood Party, who boasts lifetime earnings of $157,194, for owner/breeder Pinske Stables.

  • Sept. 16, 2021 — Recovered from a recent injury, Marsala Hanover regained her top form and scored a decisive victory in Thursday’s $58,150 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old filly pacers at The Meadows.

     

    Winning driver Scott Zeron noted that Marsala Hanover’s physical issue was ill-timed, slowing her for the $253,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stake championship, where she finished eighth.

     

    “She brushed a knee, and it swelled up a little bit,” Zeron said. “It was enough that she had to back off on training. Now, she’s back to her fitness level. She’s come right back around. That was her normal self today, and it was good to see.”

     

    In the Keystone Classic, the daughter of Captaintreacherous-Marinade Hanover made it look easy, quarter-poling to the top and drawing off to triumph in 1:51.2, 2-1/2 lengths better than Lady Newton. Darby Hanover completed the ticket.

     

    Linda Toscano trains Marsala Hanover, who now has banked $367,379 for owners Let It Ride Stable, Bottom Line Racing, South Mountain Stables and Little E LLC.

  • Sept. 16, 2020 — Drama Act overcame post 8 to score easily in 1:50, matching the stake record in Wednesday’s $63,550 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old filly pacers at The Meadows.

     Drama Act was making only her second start since owner The OK Corral shifted her to the Ron Burke stable, but the trainer likes what he’s seen so far of the daughter of Well Said-Lounge Act.

    “I think she’s really a high-end filly,” Burke said. “She won in 1:50 with her ear plugs in — that’s a special kind of mile. She has a few races left, and I think she’ll get better as the year goes on.”

     

    Drama Act needed almost the entire opening panel to make the point for Matt Kakaley, but she faced no serious challenges from there, defeating Keystone Eureka by 3-1/2 lengths, with the previously undefeated Seadog Lady third. Her time equaled the mark Lispatty established in 2016.

     

    Burke anticipates that Drama Act, who now has banked $157,982, will continue to race at 4.

     

    “She has the potential to do well — especially on small tracks. She’s a pretty nice horse,” he said.

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  • After futilely knocking heads with some of the best fillies in her division in recent weeks, Draw The Line found a spot more to her liking and triumphed in Wednesday’s $53,150 Keystone Classic for sophomore filly trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

     

    Draw The Line was ambitiously placed in such top stakes as the Hambletonian Oaks, the Delvin Miller and the Delmonica Hanover, but all she got to show for it were minor awards and a nine-race losing streak. In the Keystone Classic, however, Ronnie Wrenn confidently quarter-poled her to the top.

     

    Even there, Wrenn had to keep after the daughter of Cantab Hall-Ridge Speed late so she could down the pocket-sitting Happy Chopper by three-quarter lengths in 1:54.3. The first-over Tequini Hanover finished third.

     

    “She was 1-5, so I think everyone thought she laid over the field,” Wrenn said. “It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. She dug in late and showed her class. She was a little funny on the front today, not really wanting to go. But when it was time to dig in, she responded.”

     

    Ron Burke trains Draw The Line, who extended her lifetime bankroll to $253,048, for Brad Grant.

     

  • KEY MOVE EARNS TIPSY MONI EASY WIN IN MEADOWS $52,750 KEYSTONE CLASSIC

    Sept. 27, 2023  — Tipsy Moni, the 4-5 favorite, made the decisive move at the quarter pole and jogged from there, easily capturing Wednesday’s $52.750 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old filly trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows

     

    Sheer Faith already was out and moving near the quarter when Ronnie Wrenn slipped Tipsy Moni off the cones from third to follow.

     

    “I didn’t want to be shuffled to fourth, and I knew there were a couple other good fillies in there, so I didn’t want to get away too far back,” Wrenn said. “Leaving from post 2 really helped; the other favorites drew 8 and 9, and that really helped me get good early position.”

     

    Once the daughter of International Moni-Seaside made the point near the three-eighths, she faced no serious challengers and scored in 1:55.4. Over Board shot the Lightning Lane for second, 1-1/4 lengths back, while Sheer Faith saved show.

     

    D.R. Ackerman, who owns and trains Tipsy Moni, said the filly has three races remaining this season: the Colonial, the Simpson and the Liberty Bell. As for any plans for next year, Ackerman said:

     

    “We’re trying to get through this year,” he said. “We’ll figure that out later.”

  • Sept. 14, 2022  — Parked for the opening three-eighths before she could cross over, Luisella dug deep, held off a pair of late challengers and captured Wednesday’s $47,950 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old filly trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

     

    As they turned for home, Palermo Hanover loomed large outside while Dreamonhigh was desparate to find a seam between horses. Eventually she found that path, but it was too late, as Luisella downed her by 1/2 length in 1:54.2, with Palermo Hanover third.

     

    Winning driver Tom Jackson said he was concerned that the tough journey might not leave Luisella with enough late.

     

    “She didn’t leave as sharp as she usually does,” Jackson said. “But she won because she’s a good horse; she wouldn’t let anybody go by her. I don’t think she was at her best today but still good enough to win. I had to chase her a little bit, but she took care of business.”

     

    Fred Grant trains Luisella, a daughter of Bar Hopping-Melusine who lifted her career bankroll to $165,759, for Russell Williams.

     

    Jackson indicated that the upcoming Liberty Bell and Simpson stakes likely would complete Luisella’s racing career.

     

    “I think they’ll breed her,” he said. “She’s a really nice mare, but as a 4-year-old she’d have to go so fast against aged mares. And her owner is a breeder.”

  • You Ato Dream caught a sloppy track and a field somewhat less than the elite bunch she’s been facing. But none of that stopped her as she cruised to a stake record 1:52.2 in Saturday’s $58,150 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old filly trotters at The Meadows.

     

    The time shattered the previous record of 1:53.3 established by Classic Martine in 2013. The daughter of Donato Hanover-Dream Child soared over $500,000 in career earnings for owners William Richardson, George Romanoff, Martin Garey and Jeff Gregory, who also is her trainer/driver.

     

    Gregory said You Ato Dream, runner-up in the Pennsylvania Sires Stake championship, was unusually keyed up during the mile.

     

    “For some reason I had a little trouble getting her to relax on the front; she just kept rolling,” Gregory said. “She wasn’t out of control, but she wasn’t relaxing like she normally does. I don’t know if it was the mud or what, but she can definitely go.”

     

    Instead of tiring late, though, she easily turned back the challenge of the pocket-sitting Evening Stroll and defeated her by 4 lengths. Gold Stones earned show.

     

    Gregory indicated You Ato Dream will race next in Grand Circuit action at the Red Mile.

     

    Goo Doo Doll took the stake’s other division with a powerful uncovered move that carried her to victory in 1:55.2 for Aaron Merriman, trainer Edwin Gannon, Jr. and owner Frank Canzone. Sister Christina and Frankly My Dear completed the ticket.

  • $67,500 Keystone Classic — 3-Year-Old Filly Trot

     

    Dune Hill figured to be a lock for her eighth straight victory; she was hammered down to 1-9. But she broke stride before the gate, a bit of serendipity that caught the attention of Jim Pantaleano aboard Miss McKee for trainer Jack Baggitt, Jr. but didn’t change his approach a jot.

     

    “I talked to Jack before the race, and he indicated that she had good gate speed and to try to place her forward,” Pantaleano said. “That was my strategy regardless of Dune Hill’s condition. I tried to take care of her a little bit in the middle half, and I probably didn’t need to be that careful because she was really strong finishing.”

     

    Miss McKee prevailed in 1:55, 3-3/4 lengths better than Impulse Buy. Allswell Hanover completed the ticket. J.L. Sadowsky LLC campaigns the daughter of Muscle Massive-Dazzling Deb, who vaulted over $100,000 in career earnings.

     

    Sans Defaut has performed largely under the raider this year for Burke — even though her win in the other Keystone Classic split sent her over $200,000 in lifetime earnings. But Wednesday’s victory in what likely are her waning days of racing may have raised her profile.

     

    “I think she has a bit more to give,” Burke said. “We want to finish the year strong with her. She’s royally bred — a full sister to Southwind Frank — and I think she’ll be bred at the end of the year.”

     

    In the race, the daughter of Muscle Hill-Flawless Lindy idled until the field settled, powered to the lead and scored in 1:54.1. Perth Angel De Vie was second, beaten 2-3/4 lengths, with Electrapedia third.

     

    Sans Defaut races for Burke Racing Stable, Crawford Farms Racing, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and J&T Silva-Purnel&Libby.

     

    Burke enjoyed a four-bagger on the 13-race card.

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  • Always Ana Hanover overwhelmed the leader, even money favorite Pilar Hanover, with a powerful, uncovered backside move and rolled home in a stake-record 1:51.1 in Thursday’s Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows. Royally Hot sprang a 12-1 upset in the other division of the stake for freshman filly pacers.

     

    Always Ana Hanover was fourth when Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. sent her after Pilar Hanover, who offered resistance but succumbed in the stretch. The rallying Earth Angel was second, 1/2 length back, while 56-1 bomb Lyons Anitasangel earned show. The time is a career best for Always Ana Hanover and erased the previous stake mark of 1:51.3 Caviart Cherie established in 2016.

     

    “They went pretty good to the half, but it’s always tough to come first over here and last,” Wrenn said. “That was probably her best race of the year.”

     

    Ron Burke trains the daughter of Always B Miki-Ana Hanover for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, William Switala and James Martin.

     

    Royally Hot had won just once — and that in an overnight — but trainer Jim King, Jr. considered the Keystone Classic a good spot for her.

     

    “She’s been competitive right along,” King said. “She’s a little healthier right now than she’s been. She hasn’t really had her feelings hurt all year, which makes a difference at the end of the year.”

     

    Owner/breeder/driver Tim Tetrick moved the daughter of Bettor’s Wish-McSauna from third past the three-quarters. She zipped by the leader, 1-9 favorite Beach Rules, and scored in 1:51.4, a new life mark. Blessed Hanover was second, beaten 1-3/4 lengths, while Lyons Benz completed the ticket at 61-1.

  • Pressure Cooker cooked the field with a :27.3 final panel and drew off to score in Friday’s (Sept. 15) $78,720 Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Chiapanecas shot the Lightning Lane to capture the other division in the event for freshman filly pacers, giving Dave Palone a stake sweep.

    Pressure Cooker wasted no time taking the lead from post three, but it was in that closing quarter that she showed her superiority. The daughter of Heston Blue Chip-Better Be Steamin left Canigetalouploup 3-1/4 lengths in her wake, with Monsoon third. The winning time was 1:52.4.

    “You’ll remember her brother from the sires stakes — Fulton,‘” Palone said. “She reminds you a lot of him — good gaited, great attitude and a good set of lungs.”

    Linda Toscano trains Pressure Cooker for Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Bottom Line Racing LLC.

    Palone indicated he was thinking Lightning Lane with Chiapanecas, the 1-5 favorite, pretty much from the start.

    “I really wanted to take care of this filly because I know she has bigger dances later in the season,” Palone said. “At the same time, you want to get the money. She was well within herself with the plugs in. It ended up being the best-case scenario.”

    The daughter of Stay Hungry-Maniana executed the game plan perfectly, brushing past Lou Lou to down her by a length in a career-best 1:53. Early leader Ginger Tree Belle completed the ticket. Ron Burke trains the winner for breeder/owner William Donovan.

  • Sept. 29, 2022  — Ginger Tree Coco clicked off the back half in a snappy 55.4 en route to a stake-fastest victory in a career-best 1:52.3 over a “good” surface in Thursday’s $81,499 Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Hello Yes Hi and Butterfingers captured the other divisions in the event for 2-year-old filly pacers. Aaron Merriman enjoyed a stake double behind Ginger Tree Coco and Butterfingers.

    Ginger Tree Coco had to battle three wide for the early lead, but after Merriman gave her a 29.1 second-panel breather, she drew off late to down the pocket-sitting Little Lady J by 4-3/4 lengths, with Tallchief Hanover third.

     “She’s probably better hunting, but she just seemed so good I put her on the lead,” Merriman said. “I thought she was the best horse, and I raced her like it.”

     

    Sam Beegle trains the daughter of Stay Hungry-Zellweger Bluechip and owns with Ginger Tree Ventures LLC, Knollview Stable and Robert Reber, Jr.

     

    Hello Yes Hi grabbed the lead past the quarter for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. but found herself challenged inside and outside in mid-stretch. The homebred daughter of Captaintreacherous-Camille found another gear and held off Calliope Hanover by a neck in 1:53.1. Square Deal completed the ticket.

     

    “I drove her once before, and she won from the 8 hole in a sires stake,” Wrenn said. “She beat some good horses that day, so I wasn’t really concerned late. She’s not a real big filly, but she’s real game.”

    Ron Burke conditions Hello Yes Hi, who now has banked $119,177, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, M1 Stable and Jack Piatt II.

     Butterfingers moved first up, cleared near the three-quarters and scored in 1:54.1 for owner/trainer Mike Hall. Romantic Evening was second, beaten a length, while Extreme Z Tam rallied for show.

     

    “I was happy they were going so slow up front because my horse has a quick turn of foot,” Merriman said of the daughter of Sweet Lou-Drop The Ball. “It worked out just like I thought it would.”

     

    In Thursday’s $19,300 Open Handicap Trot, Tequila Talkin notched his 11th win this year when he overtook Refi past the three-quarters and downed him by 3/4 lengths 1:54.2. Mike Wilder drove the 7-year-old Cantab Hall-Margarita Nights gelding, who lifted his lifetime earnings to $313,663, for Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.

  • $66,900 Keystone Classic — 2-Year-Old Filly Pace

     

    Entering the day, Lyons Serenity had won five of six starts lifetime — including the PA Stallion Series championship — while Somesweetsomewhere was winless in five outings. Their careers seemed to be heading in different directions, yet each captured a division of Tuesday’s co-feature.

     

    Lyons Serenity triumphed as easily as expected, quarter-poling to the top for Tim Tetrick and scoring in 1:52.4.  Yes And Yes was second, 1-1/4 lengths back, with Aintthesamewithoutu third.

     

    Jim King, Jr., who conditions the daughter of Sweet Lou Southwind Serenity for Threelyonsracing, indicated he doesn’t regret keeping Lyons Serenity in the stallion series rather than the richer sires stakes but may look to move her up.

     

    “I think it’s been a lot better for her,” King said. “We haven’t stretched her out, although she’s had to race pretty much on the front end all the time. She gets on the front and waits on horses, then takes off again. She’s eligible to a couple big races, including the Breeders Crown. That’s a large step, and it’s yet to be seen whether she can go with them.”

     

    Somesweetsomewhere’s 0-5 record was somewhat deceptive, as she was competitive in sires stakes and finished a closing third in the $253,000 final.  But she again was facing Pennsylvania’s champion, Captain Cowgirl, who was sent off at 1-9. Even winning driver Corey Callahan thought he would grab the early lead, then chase Captain Cowgirl around the track.

     

    That all changed when Captain Cowgirl made an early break, the first such miscue of her career.

     

    “My intention was to follow the 1-9 shot around,” Callahan said. “When I went by the board going to the half, I was looking for her. I’m like, ‘Where’s she at?’ So I kept coasting and figured we were good from there. I felt pretty confident in her.”

     

    Somesweetsomewhere prevailed in 1:53.4, 1-1/4 lengths better than Galleria Hanover. No Foolin completed the ticket. Linda Toscano trains the winner for Purple Haze Stables and Conrad Zurich.

  • Sept. 15, 2020 — Fighting Evil launched the decisive move past the three-quarters and rolled home in a career-best 1:52.2 in Tuesday’s Keystone Classic at The Meadows. Darby Hanover took the other split in the $79,900 stake for freshman filly pacers.

     

    Sniper Hanover opened up a sizable lead after three-quarters but was no match for the rally of Fighting Evil, who overwhelmed her in the lane and held off Peep N Weep by a head for Mike Wilder. Ocean’s Apart completed the ticket.

     

    “This filly just loves to chase,” said Dane Snyder, who trains the daughter of Sweet Lou-Evil Fight — a $12,000 yearling acquisition — for Danielle Snyder and Jason Ash. “She’s not very big herself, but she has a big heart.  She has one more race this year — the Standardbred at Delaware. She’s little, and she needs some rest.”

     

    Although Darby Hanover was forced to a 27.4 opening panel to reach the point, she had little trouble thereafter, cruising home for Andy Miller and trainer Julie Miller in 1:53.1. Natchez Belle was second, beaten 2-1/2 lengths, with Lady Newton third.

     

    “When she came back to me at the half, she relaxed, so I felt all right from there on,” Andy Miller said. “She’s putting together a pretty nice year, and she has a few more races to go. She’ll probably go to the Liberty Bell next. We might try a big race later in the year.”

     

    The daughter of Betting Line-Darena Hanover has finished in the money in all seven career starts for owners Andy Miller Stable and Carroll Huffman.

  • $92,499 Keystone Classic — 2-Year-Old Filly Pacers

     

    Speaking of first stakes victories, Drama Act and Ginger Tree Carey collected theirs in Saturday’s co-feature. The other division went to Ashtini.

     

    Injury and illness had limited Drama Act to a pair of overnight events — both victories.

     

    “She had an abscess in her foot that caused some time off,” said Krista Harmon, who conditions the homebred daughter of Well Said-Lounge Act for The OK Corral. “Then, when she was ready to qualify, she got sick a couple times. What’s her upside? I’m not sure we’ve hit bottom with her yet.”

     

    The team’s patience paid off Saturday, as Drama Act overcame a parked-out 26.4 opening panel and triumphed for Jason Merriman in 1:52.2, 3-3/4 lengths better than Alexa Skye. Dance Club earned show.

     

    Trainer Sam Beegle has selected Ginger Tree Carey’s stakes engagements judiciously because of her diminutive stature.

     

    “She’s only the size of a deer, and she’s a June foal,” Beegle said. “She had a little issue back in May, and we didn’t rush her. She’s done everything we asked her to do. She still has the Simpson and the Liberty Bell, and she has everything next year.”

     

    The daughter of Sweet Lou-Ideal Weather showed a big heart in overtaking the leader, The Party’s Rockin, late and defeating her by 1/2 length in 1:53.1 Speaking Of Coffee finished third.

     

    Ginger Tree Ventures, Henlopen Stable, Neil Chesen and Beegle campaign Ginger Tree Carey.

2ft

  • $63,350 Keystone Classic —2-Year Old Filly Trotters

     

    Princess Jackie and Seal The Deal AS figured to be best in their split of Wednesday’s co-feature. Jim Marohn, Jr. aboard Princess Jackie knew it, so he gave the cold shoulder to Wrenn and Seal  The Deal AS when they tried to wrest away the lead at the quarter.

     

    “I wanted to put her on the lead,” Marohn said. “It’s been awhile since she’s been there, and she likes racing there. I was in a good spot to do it. When I called on her in the last turn, she scooted right off as if it were her first start of the year.”

     

    That decision proved wise as Princess Jackie jogged away from her rival late and downed her by 2 lengths in 1:56.2. Can It Be Magic completed the ticket. The daughter of Greenshoe-Frisky Magic boosted her lifetime bankroll to $180,014 for owner/trainer D.R. Ackerman, who named the filly for his granddaughter. Ackerman indicated Princess Jackie would be pointed to the Breeders Crown.

     

    Blueberry continued her fine season in the other division with a front-end score in 1:56.1, matching her career-best and giving her earnings of $130,793. Payback Moni was 3-3/4 lengths back in second, with Tally The Tab third.

     

    “She was a perfect=gaited horse from Day 1, an absolute sweetheart,” said Doug Snyder, who trains the homebred daughter of Father Patrick-Perfect Image for Geraldine Poerio. “She’s from a good female family, so she has a right to be a good horse.”

     

    He said Blueberry will race once more this year, in the Liberty Bell, but has a more extensive stakes schedule next season.

  • $69,900 Keystone Classic — 2-Year-Old Filly Trotters

    Loveyoubunches and Prospect Park won the splits in Friday’s co-feature.

    Loveyoubunches had to endure an unexpected change of plans when trainer/driver Todd Schadel tipped her off the cones for a quarter-pole move only to suddenly retreat to the pylons when Cahira Hanover and Aaron Merriman made that same quarter-pole move in front of them. Schadel indicated Loveyoubunches handled the course correction professionally.

    “She lets you do whatever you gotta do — that’s the best part about this filly,” Schadel said. “I just put her back in there, and she was perfect. She has the Liberty Bell and the Simpson left this year.”

    The daughter of Fordham Road-Lovebeinglucky had little trouble passing Cahira Hanover first over and defeating her by two lengths in 1:56.4, fastest win of her career. Skyline Seashell earned show. Loveyoubunches now has banked $122,211 for owners Schadel, Christine Schadel, Rick Beinhauer and Regina Beinhauer.

    In the other division, a dramatic stretch duel — Prospect Park inside, Norma Pearl challenging outside — fizzled when Norma Pearl made an unforced break, leaving Prospect Park to triumph in 1:58.4. Jakarta Hanover and Insider Trading rounded out the ticket.

    Winning trainer/driver Charlie Norris thinks his filly would have prevailed even without the help.

    “We got a really slow half, and I was just letting her coast,” Norris said of the daughter of Father Patrick-Brooklyn Eagle. “She was well in hand — the plugs were still in.

  • Sept. 27, 2022  — While horses were colliding inside her, Lindys Irishcream kept to her task and triumphed in a stake-fastest 1:57 in Tuesday’s $73,098 Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Planter’s Punch and Old Magic captured the other splits in the stake for freshman filly trotters.

     

    As Lindysirishcream vied for the lead three wide, Jameson N Lime and Brady Brown broke stride between horses and veered inside. Southern Patricia and Jeremy Indof could not avoid them and made contact, dumping Brown to the track.

     

    Brown landed out of harm’s way and was up immediately; he was cleared by emergency medical personnel and completed his driving assignments for the day.

     

    For Jameson N Lime, however, the adventure was far from over. After galloping wildly for a while, she flipped over the grandstand fence and was wedged between the fence and a vendor vehicle. Once freed, she was well enough to be walked back to the paddock, where her connections pronounced her injuries superficial.

     

    Aaron Merriman, aboard Lindys Irishcream, said he was aware of the chaos inside him but that the daughter of Father Patrick-Gin And Lindy never missed a beat.

     

    “I was trying to be aware of loose horses,” Merriman said. “My filly did it easy. She’s a nice, professional filly who’s matured a lot over the last few starts. It was easy for me, but I hate to see (an accident). I’d rather not even win the race when something like that happens.”

     

    Sweet On Her finished second, beaten 10 lengths, while Keystone Sweetpea completed the ticket.

    Jessica Fallon trains Lindys Irishcream, who was won four of her last five, for Tim Klemencic and Blake MacIntosh.

     Planter’s Punch was along the cones when the field turned for home, apparently heading for the Lightning Lane. Instead, Todd Schadel guided the daughter of Bar Hopping-Cloud Dancer through a narrow seam between horses for the 1:59.1 victory.

     

    “The leader went over to the Lightning Lane at the top of the stretch,” Schadel explained. “I wanted to go there but stayed until something opened up. She wanted to go through the gap before I even thought about it.”

     

    Fortune Forecast and Mommas A Diva rounded out the ticket.

    Julie Miller conditions Planter’s Punch for Willow Oak Ranch.

     Old Magic pulled first over from third near the three-quarters, the first time winning driver Tom Jackson ever had asked her to move without cover. The Fred Grant trainee handled it beautifully, scoring in a career-best 1:57.4. Gina’s On Fire was a length back in second, with Foolish Moni third. Old Magic has finished in the money in all 10 career starts, s streak Jackson attributes to Grant’s patience.

     

    “That’s Fred’s management,” Jackson said. “He’s done a superb job of getting all his horses ready and never rushing them. Now, when the money’s up for grabs, he’s getting some of it.”

     

    Russell Williams owns Old Magic.

  • $68,100 Keystone Classic — 2-Year-Old Filly Trot

     

    Dreamonhigh is the fastest 2-year-old trotter ever at The Meadows and the Pennsylvania champion to boot, but she has been unruly at times behind the gate. That made driver Ronnie Wrenn’s mission in the Keystone Classic clear.

     

    “I kind of let her do what she wanted to do,” Wrenn said. “I sat in the two path through the first turn and let her get comfortable. She’s plenty fast, and she definitely laid over the field. She got really comfortable, and I wasn’t worried at all about her running.”

     

    Dreamonhigh got away third but was out before the quarter to grab the lead. The daughter of Andover Hall-RC’s Dream cruised to the expected victory by 7-1/2 lengths in 1:55.4, with Miss Principle and Woman of Power completing the ticket. Jennifer Bongiorno conditions Dreamonhigh for KAT Stables.

     In the stake’s other division, the chart will tell you that Phannys Matter scored a front-end victory in a career-best 1:58.. But it won’t reveal that winning driver Aaron Merriman reluctantly held the point only because 2-5 favorite Gumdrop Hanover broke while trying for the lead.

     

    “Heavens no, I didn’t want the lead,” Merriman said. “I was hoping Mike (Wilder, with Gumdrop Hanover) would keep going. But my horse is well traveled, been to the fairs, so I knew she would be okay.”

     

    Gumdrop Hanover recovered and threatened Phannys Matter late, but the daughter of Explosive Matter-Phanny’s Photo held firm to defeat her by a length for trainer Linda Schadel, who owns the homebred with Tony Schadel. Gingerzzz earned show.

  • $85,000 Keystone Classic — 2-Year-Old Filly Trot

     

    This year’s Pennsylvania Stallion Series champion, Love Muffin, was out to extend her winning streak to three — and she did just that with a front-end victory in 1:56.2 for Jim Pantaleano, trainer David Wiest and owners Edward Kimmel and Don Wiest. Long shot Cheesy Hanover was 2-3/4 lengths back in second with the first-over Frankly My Dear third.

     

    Although the daughter of Andover Hall-Pine Yankee has been ahead at every call in her current streak, David Wiest indicated she actually prefers chasing.

     

    “She’d do better off the pace, but she’s that quick off the gate,” he said. “She has two more races this year, both at Chester.”

     

    In the other split, Julie and Andy Miller teamed up again to triumph with Pub Crawl who, on paper, at least appeared to lay over the field. The 1-5 favorite did nothing to dispel that notion, jogging in 1:56.1 and defeating Keystone Barracuda by 4 lengths. Myreanna earned show.

     

    “She’s been racing some pretty good fillies, and she found a little better spot today,” Andy Miller said. “She still has quite a few races to go. We’ll probably go to the Liberty Bell next.”

     

    The daughter of Bar Hopping-Myth now has banked $132,763 for Andy Miller Stable, Louis Willinger, Kapildeo Singh and Phillip Helmuth.

     

  • Next Level Stuff and Perth Angel De Vie each jogged to convincing victories — and life marks — in Tuesday’s $85,900 Keystone Classic for 2-year=old filly trotters at The Meadows.

     

    Dave Palone sent Next Level Stuff forward with a quarter-pole move, only to encounter stiff resistance from the leader, Rebecca.

     

    “I didn’t expect to have to work that hard to make it back to the front, but I did,” Palone said, “She did the rest on her own. I think she’ll be a sires stake filly next year.”

     

    Once she crossed over, the daughter of Sebastian K S-Nantab took complete control, drawing off late to down Miss Kendra D by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2, a career best. The stubborn Rebecca finished third.

     

    Jim Campbell trains the homebred Next Level Stuff for Runthetable Stables.

     

    Perth Angel De Vie hadn’t seen the front in her last six outings, but in the Keystone Classic, she reached the point early with a bonus — the half in a slowish 59 worked out by driver Bryce Brocklehurst.

     

    “A cheap half like that definitely helped,” he said. “I felt pretty good about things then. As long as she felt good on the gate, I wanted her to be up close. I think that’s probably it for her this year.”

     

    The daughter of Explosive Matter-Dream Angel prevailed in 1:56.4, a life mark, 3-1/2 lengths better than Cocktails N Dreams. Just For Me Nu completed the ticket.

     

    Harold Brocklehurst conditions the winner for Double R Farms, David Obley and Richard Williams.

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