By Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
Washington, PA – The final Saturday race program of the season was quite a race card at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Seven Keystone Classic events for sophomore ladies and gents of both gaits highlighted the 13-race card.
Dave Palone and Railroad Station patiently sat third throughout the mile and took advantage of a Lightning Lane opportunity to capture the $67,300 Keystone Classic for colt pacers. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and J&T Silva – Purnell & Libby, the Ron Burke trained son of Sweet Lou now has seasonal earnings of over $100,000 and a new lifetime mark of 1:49.3.
Railroad Station. Chris Gooden Photo.
The $28,675 Keystone Classic for trotting colts featured the closest finish of the day as Cheers Hanover and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. need every step the Lightning Lane to nose out Arrowhead Hanover. A 27.4 last quarter gave the son of Bar Hopping his fourth win of the season for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi, James Simpson and J&T Silva-Purnell & Libby and trainer Ron Burke.
The second Keystone Classic for trotting colts, this division for $29,075, saw Burke and Wrenn strike again with Frank Leahy. Moved to the lead early by Wrenn, the Southwind Frank colt ground out a 1:54.3 victory for owners Ben Mondello LLC and Fac Racing. Frank Leahy has now won 5 of 16 while earning over $130,000 in 2025.
Frank Leahy. Chris Gooden Photo.
Mike Wilder sat Ballast in the pocket until the head of the stretch before turning loose a 27.4 last quarter to take the $28,575 Keystone Classic filly division. Travis Alexander trains the daughter of Tall Dark Stranger for Evm Racing LLC of Delaware who now how seven wins from 14 starts and a new lifetime best of 1:49.2 for the Stallion Series champion.
Ballast. Chris Gooden Photo.
In the second Keystone Classic filly division, Wilder was at it again going worst to first with Pilar Hanover for a 1:51.1 head victory. The Papi Rob Hanover filly used a 28 final panel to pick up her second win of the season and the effort equals her career best for owners Jo Ann Looney-King and Paton Racing Inc and trainer Jim King Jr.
Country Victory and Aaron Merriman went down the road in 1:53.1 for the fastest Keystone Classic filly division. Through an opening half of 54.4 the International Moni filly was able to maintain her lead through the wire for a lifetime best. Trained by Melvin Schmucker for owners Yacht Club 140 LLC of Florida, Country Victory now has 2025 earnings over $100,000.
Country Victory. Chris Gooden Photo.
Can It Be Magic gave the Burke/ Wrenn combination their third Keystone Classic trophy with a 1:55.3 effort in taking her filly trot division. Moving from third before the half, the Cantab Hall filly trotted to her seventh victory of the year for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Knox Services of Ohio.
There will be no live racing next week. Racing will return to Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Wednesday, September 24.