By Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
Keystone Classic action returned Thursday with a pair of $24,000 divisions for 2-year-old colt trotters and a single $69,000 division for 2-year-old colt pacers. Also on tap at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows were a pair of International Amateur driving events.
Green to Go and Brian Zendt turned in the fastest Keystone Classic division for 2-year-old colt trotters with a first-over 1:55.4 victory. Moving from fifth past the half, Zendt was unable to flush cover, forcing the Greenshoe gelding to grind down leader Scarpa and get the neck victory. It was a career-best effort for Green to Go, who is owned and trained by D. R. Ackerman.
Chris Gooden Photo
Sparkling Lady and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. took command of their Keystone Classic division early and controlled the tempo before sprinting home in 28.2 to score a length victory. Fresh off the Pennsylvania fair circuit, the 1:56.4 was a lifetime mark and the third win of 2026 for owner/trainer Mahlon Martin. Sparkling Lady is a daughter of International Moni and was a former $10,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase.
Hungry Marco and Brady Brown inherited a straight shot to the passing lane, and the pair cashed in to win the $69,000 Keystone Classic for 2-year-old pacers. A Stonebridge Blitz break on the lead put Brown and the Stay Hungry filly in the pocket behind Atomix Hanover with an eighth of a mile to go. It took the length of the stretch and a 28.1 final panel to get past Atomix Hanover for the win. Trained by Jamie Sullivan for owners David Hamm, Glenn Phillips, and Frank Chick, Hungry Marco now has five wins from nine starts and earnings of more than $100,000.
Chris Gooden Photo
Jerry Kehm used his home-track knowledge to measure out a head victory in the International Amateur driving event with his own horse, Northern Bluff. Sent by Kehm from post seven, Northern Bluff was up by three before Island Business and Nico Post threatened, but the Mark Goldberg trainee held on for the 1:56.3 victory.
Chris Gooden Photo
Yanik Mollema and Swan Legacy were under constant pressure throughout their International Amateur event and still managed a three-length victory. The 33-year-old Dutch driver was able to rate favorable fractions despite the challengers and secure a comfortable 1:56.3 win for trainer Todd Keith. The International Drivers will next race at Northfield.
Mike Wilder was the only driver with multiple wins on the card, with three victories to earn driving honors. Justin Pirillo’s training double earned him training honors.
Racing and Keystone Classic action returns Friday, September 18, with first-race post at 12:45 p.m.