By Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
Partly sunny, smoke-free skies welcomed the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers competing in the Roy Davis Arden Stakes at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Saturday afternoon. The three division winners all turned in performances worthy of remembering as the road to the 61st Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids continues.
Leaving from post two, Atomix Hanover and James MacDonald needed only to retake the lead at the quarter to be on their way to the fastest division of the Roy Davis. Hungry Marco and Tim Tetrick blasted from post six and briefly controlled the pace before MacDonald had the Tim Twaddle trainee comfortably on the front end. Atomix Hanover reached the three-quarters in 1:24 and used a :27.4 final quarter to hold Hungry Marco at bay by one length, stopping the clock in 1:51.4. The son of Stay Hungry is owned by TheStable Atomix Hanover and Hutchison Harness LLC, both of Ohio. Purchased at the Harrisburg Sale last fall for $65,000, Atomix Hanover remains undefeated through his first three career starts.
The second and third divisions both belonged to the Burke Brigade. Eastie Boy and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. tracked Complete Unknown and James MacDonald to the top of the stretch before the son of Sweet Lou sprinted past the pacesetter for a two-length victory in 1:52.2. A pocket trip through fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:24.2 set up Eastie Boy’s :27.4 final quarter to secure the win for owners and breeders Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, and Phillip Collura.
Chris Gooden Photo
Loud Luxury and Tim Tetrick raced first-over off moderate fractions to capture the third Roy Davis division. Starting from post seven, Tetrick guided the son of Captaintreacherous into third before the eighth pole and remained there through early fractions of :29.1 and :59. A first-over move just before the three-quarters in 1:27.3 put Loud Luxury into contention, and a :27.3 final quarter carried him to his first career victory in 1:55.2. The Ron Burke trainee was a $70,000 Harrisburg Sale purchase for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Libby and Purnel LLC, Knox Services Inc., and Frank Baldachino.
Chris Gooden Photo
On the afternoon, Ron Burke led all trainers with three victories, while Dave Palone and James Macdonald each recorded two driving wins to share top driving honors.
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows resumes live racing on Wednesday, July 22, with a 13-race card. First post is 12:45 p.m.