By: Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
August 2,2025 – Two divisions of the $57,000 Florida Pro Stakes saw stars continue to rise while three Stallion Series winners were looking for redemption as 2 year old colt trotters were the main focus Saturday afternoon at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows.
The first Florida Pro Division saw Mr. Big Spender extend his winning streak to four with a 1:55.4
Mr Big Spender. Chris Gooden Photo
mile for driver Mike Wilder. Hard used through an opening 57.1, but once clearing to the front the Captain Corey would maintain a two-length lead to the wire. “Once he was stretched getting to the lead,” trainer Norm Parker explained happily following the victory, “Mike just kept him to his task just rolled him along.” The Parker trainee now has four wins in five lifetime starts for owners Bart and Todd Brice. The victory in the Florida Pro boosts Mr Big Spenders seasonal earnings to over $70,000.
In the second division, Jeremy Indof let the early dust settle before moving Highball Hanover to the lead on their way to a 1:56.2 lifetime best victory. “Last week he was looking at shadows so I raced him off a helmet,” Indof said after the win. “Noel added a shadowroll, he scored down great, so I gave him a chance to be a good horse, really glad he was.” After missing by a nose in her last start, the Florida Pro victory was also the first lifetime victory for the daughter of Bar Hopping. Highball Hanover was purchased at Harrisburg for $70000 for owners Sjoblom Racing & M Dolan, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing, Caviart Farms and P C Wellwood Enterprises.
All three Stallion Series winners had two things in common, miscues In their last start and equipment adjustments.
“Full swedges and hopples,” is what William Dougherty Jr added to Harlem Hanover following his miscue in his previous start. Leaving form post 1 for Dave Palone, the Bar Hopping gelding was able to mind his manners and hold off a late Bar Fly Bandit and Brian Zendt to the 1:58 victory. Owned by Susan Dougherty and Perry Wilson, it’s the second career win from 6 lifetime starts for the former $27,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase.
Trainer Tim Twaddle said, “we had to go from the bell boots to toe weights due to a cut in his heel,” following the gelded son of Father Patrick’s 1:58.2 Stallion Series victory, his second of the season. “I was still thinking going onto the track,” Twaddle added with a laugh. Driven by Dave Palone for owners The Stable, Rico Tubbs and Hutchinson Harness LLC of Ohio, the $11,000 Lexington purchase took advantage of a perfect cover trip to trot home 29.2, holding off a late charging Bayside Cue and Brandon Givens.
Keeping with the Stallion Series them of the day, Churchill required a slight adjustment following a recent break. “He did not like the earplugs lastweek, Jill Roland shared on her way back from the winner circle. “This week instead of plugs I put an ear hood on him,” the trainer continued. Leaving from post five, Dave Palone quickly put the Father Patrick in position to control and turn the race into a romp. Following the opening half of 1:00.1, Churchill would trot on to a three length victory in 1:59.2, equally a career best. Trained by Roland for Berbard O’Brien, the Stallion Series winner was a $21,000 Lexington yearling purchase.
For the day, leading driver Dave Palone, after a 4 bagger Friday night, was tops with 5 winners on the 11race card. While on the Trainer side, 11 different trainers sent winners out Saturday.
For the week, leader board has Palone atop drivers with 10 while Burke Racing’s 6 wins gave them top honors.
Racing at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows resumes Wednesday August 6th with first post at 12:45pm.