By Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
Washington, PA – The main attraction on Friday afternoon at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows featured 3-year-old trotting fillies. Four divisions of Stallion Series action led up to the day’s main events, two $49,000 divisions of the Meadow Bright Sires Stakes.
JL Serenity and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. secured the two-hole through an opening first quarter of 27.3, and from there the duo used the Lightning Lane and a 28.2 final quarter to seal the victory. The daughter of Captain Corey is trained by Vernon Beachy for owners 518 Group LLC and Ryan Smith of Ohio. JL Serenity’s time of 1:54.4 was the fastest Stallion Series division and a new career best.
A second-over trip to the head of the stretch gave Dulcinea Hanover her Stallion Series victory, as well as her maiden-breaking score. Nico Karna followed Intisaar Mil to the top of the stretch, tipped off cover, and trotted away to a two-length victory in 1:55. Noel Daley trains the Greenshoe filly for Harbor Racing Stable LLC, Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing, James McGovern, and Vincent Urciuoli.
Willow Oak Racing LLC’s Sister Wine went wire-to-wire from post six to earn her Stallion Series victory. Driven by Andy Miller for trainer Julie Miller, the Bar Hopping filly capitalized on favorable early fractions to pick up her first win of the 2026 season in 1:56.3.
The final Stallion Series division of the day saw Cocktail Captain and Mike Wilder upset their field at odds of 58-1. Sitting fourth throughout, Wilder moved the Captain Corey filly just before the three-quarters and chased down the front-runner and favorite, Just Teasing, for the 1:55.4 victory. Owned by Matthew Miller of Pennsylvania and trained by Nathan Bresnahan, Cocktail Captain now has three wins on the season and a new lifetime mark.
Maya Patel Hanover (pictured above) had lifetime earnings of $118,153 but zero lifetime wins before today’s Meadow Bright Sires Stake. She now has earnings of $142,816 and one victory. Dave Palone landed and raced the Captain Corey filly third before angling off the rail in the final turn and outsprinting Atlantic Summer to the wire. The Åke Svanstedt trainee used a 27.3 final quarter to earn her first victory from nine lifetime starts. Maya Patel Hanover is owned by Åke Svanstedt Inc. and Brittany Farms.
Following a Stallion Series victory earlier in the card, the Wrenn Jr./Beachy combination teamed up again in the Meadow Bright Stakes. Wendalyn Hanover was sent right to the lead by Wrenn, where she faced a brief challenge in the final turn and a late surge from Frattina Diablo S before holding on for the lifetime-best 1:54.4 victory. 518 Group, Ryan Smith, and Gitup Racing, all of Ohio, own the Greenshoe filly, and Vernon Beachy trains.
Chris Gooden Photo
For the day, driver Dave Palone took top honors with four driving victories, while trainer Brandon Presto edged Vernon Beachy three wins to two. Racing resumes at Hollywood at the Meadows tomorrow, Saturday, May 16 at 12:45 pm.