By Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
A chilly May Saturday welcomed back Sire Stake action at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Two $54,000 divisions of the Bye Bye Byrd as well as four Stallion Series divisions for tthree-year-old pacing colts kicked off the 2026 Sires Stake season.
In the first and fastest division of the Bye Bye Byrd, it took the length of the stretch for Tim Tetrick and Sneaky Squeaky to parlay a second over trip into a lifetime best win. The son of Heston Blue Chip followed and battled Melillo to the wire for the nose victory in a career mark of 1:51.1. Sneaky Squeaky
Chris Gooden Photo
is now five for five this season for trainer Joe Bongiorno and owner Morrison Racing Stables of PA.
The second division of the Bye Bye Byrd saw another colt stay undefeated in 2026 as Another C Note stayed four for four this season. Driven by Ronnie Wrenn Jr, Another C Note sat a comfortable pocket all the way to the Lightning Lane, from there the Captaintreacherous colt would sprint to a two length victory. Owned by Burke Racing LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Let is Ride Stables Inc and Scott Dillon. Another C Note paced the mile in 1:51.2 for Trainer Ron Burke.
Trainer Joe Bongiorno got his second training victory in the afternoon with Ballroom Affair in the Stallion Series action. Hall of Fame driver, Tim Tetrick raced the Papi Rob Hanover gelding fourth through early going before a backside brush that would produce a two length and lifetime best victory. Owned by Let it Ride Stables Inc and Odds on Racing, Ballroom Affair was also able to keep his perfect season intact and is now three for three.
A pair of Hall of Famers teamed up in the Stallion Series action as driver Dave Palone drove the Chris Ryder trainee Kiss In The Sky to 1:52.3. Palone moved the son of Bettors Wish down the backside, clearing by the head of the stretch on their way to a length victory for the owners, Chris Ryder, William Ezzo, Mark Harder and Robert Mondilo.
Justin Irvine put Really Bright in position early and waited for the Lightning Lane for their Stallion Series victory. Irvine waited in the pocket as Down The Line and McHungry battled up front then used a 27.3 last quarter for the win. Really Bright is trained by Hunter Oaks and the son of Tall Dark Stranger is owned by Howard Taylor and Chuck Pompey
Yannick Gingras moved Ubrute from fifth to first past the quarter on their way to a grind it out 1:52.3 seasonal debut victory. Trained by Ron Burke for owner Burke Racing LLC, Weaver Bruscemi, Hatfield Stables and Phillip Collure. The Tall Dark Stranger colt now has earnings in excess of $365,000 in eleven career starts.
For the day Dave Palone took top honors with four driving victories while Tim Tetrick and Shawn Johnston had three wins each. Ron Burke and Joe Bongiorno each had a pair of training victories.
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows will resume Wednesday, May 6 with a $2,757.94 carryover in the Pick 4 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool beginning in Race 1. Additionally, a $3,098.37 carryover in the Pick 5 will fuel a $15,000 guaranteed pool starting in Race 9. Post Time is 12:45pm.