By Evan Pattak For The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association “Horsemen Helping Horsemen”
It was the career debut for 2-year-old filly pacers Foxy Seaside and Blessed Hanover, and their clash Thursday at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows had an unusual but successful outcome — the pair dead-heated for win in the $10,000 opening leg of a Pop-Up Series.
The 2-5 favorite, Blessed Hanover controlled the fractions for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. despite being parked the opening quarter. But she could not shake the 14-1 Foxy Seaside, who stalked from the pocket for Anthony MacDonald until moving wide for the stretch drive. They crossed the wire together in 1:56.1 while Flo Jo Hanover earned show.
Tim Twaddle trains Foxy Seaside, a daughter of Downbytheseaside-Foxy Rigger, for TheStable Foxy Seaside while Ron Burke conditions Blessed Hanover, a daughter of Always B Miki-Bettor B Lucky, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and William Donovan.
Wrenn and Burke teamed for three wins on the 13-race card while Aaron Merriman also enjoyed a triple.
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of approximately 700 Standardbred trainers, drivers, caretakers and owners at The Meadows. In addition to providing horses to race at The Meadows, MSOA administers such member-centric services as health insurance and retirement programs for horsemen and horsewomen.