By Evan Pattak For The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, photos Railroad Station and World Beater by Chris Gooden
Railroad Station found the fast track late and rallied to a stake-fastest 1:51.1 victory in Saturday’s $192,108 Pennsylvania Sires Stake as part of the Adios eliminations card at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
The event for freshman colt and gelding pacers, known as The Albatross, was contested over four divisions, with World Beater, TH Colby and Louprint capturing the other splits. Ron Burke enjoyed a PASS triple (Railroad Station, TH Colby, Louprint), with Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. aboard for a pair of them (TH Colby, Louprint).
Railroad Station was very nearly the caboose at the half, chugging along fifth by 6-1/2 lengths. But when he picked up the live cover of Prince Hal Hanover, the son of Sweet Lou-Rodeo Rosie found a new gear and outkicked his rival in the lane, downing him by 3/4 lengths. Papi’s Rocket finished third.
“That horse there is a professional,” said winning driver David Miller. “There are no tricks to him. I think he has a big upside. He couldn’t have done anything any better so far.”
Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby campaign Railroad Station.
World Beater was away second, but Todd McCarthy didn’t think that the best place for the son of Captaintreacherous-World Apart.
“I would have been happy to trip him out,” McCarthy said. “But he’s a classy little horse. He can do it either way, so it ended up being okay. To be honest, I think he will be better off a helmet.”
McCarthy’s decision was sound, as World Beater topped the rallying Papis Pistol by 2-1/4 lengths, while Da Lou Ron Ron rallied for show. Tony Alagna conditions World Beater for Willow Oak Ranch.
$120,000 PA Stallion Series — 2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pacers
Damn The Torpedoes, Quick Pittstop, Stay Focused, Paxamillion, War No More and Flight In Motion took the splits. Mike Wilder fashioned a stake double (Quick Pittstop, Flight In Motion) as did Tim Tetrick (Damn The Torpedoes, Paxamillion).
Wrenn and Burke teamed for yet another win with Stay Focused, a 21-1 bomber. The son of Stay Hungry-Yoseline Seelster was impressive, using two moves to deliver the maiden-breaking victory in 1:53 to owner Brad Grant. Furneaux was 1-1/2 lengths back in second while Mount Laurel Rd completed the ticket.
“I think if I’d been forced to go inside, I would have found room in the Lightning Lane,” Wrenn said. “Luckily, I was able to get out in the last turn, and he had a lot of pace. I think he has a lot of potential to be a good horse.”
Aaron Merriman collected four wins on the 15-race card.
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.