Keystone Classics for 3 Year Olds at The Meadows
By Evan Pattak For The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
WASHINGTON, PA, 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.
$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.”
In the Keystone Classic, he rated beautifully in the pocket for Wilder, then fired through the Lightning Lane to prevail in a career-best 1:55.1. Robbie Pev rallied for second, 1-3/4 lengths back, with Make Sure Its Cold third.
Dave Palone collected three wins on the 13-race card.
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.
$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.
