By Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
The final leg of 2026 Sire Stakes action rolled into Hollywood Casino at The Meadows Friday with sophomore pacing colts and fillies.
Grade 1 Adios winner Al Papi returned with a wrapped-up 1:50.3 effort in his $54,000 Tarport Effrat Sire Stakes division. Papi Rick was hustled to the lead by Justin Irvine through an opening quarter of 26.3. That lead was short-lived as Ronnie Wrenn Jr. moved Al Papi toward the front, taking control before an opening half of 55.2. A 28.4 backside made the final quarter a formality as Al Papi sprinted home in 26.2 to keep Papi Rick a length back in second. The son of Papi Rob Hanover heads into next week’s Sire Stakes final with three wins and earnings of more than $600,000 for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Lawrence Karr and Weaver Bruscemi.
Toast Of The Town and Dave Palone set a Tarport Effrat stakes record in their $54,000 division. Controlling the race from the start through a half of 55, Palone turned the Noel Daley trainee loose down the backside to the tune of 26.1, creating separation from first-over challenger Melillo. Toast Of The Town finished his career-best 1:48.1 effort with a 26.3 final quarter. Pocket sitter Superchamp Hanover held the place spot. Toast Of The Town, a son of Sweet Lou, is owned by Let It Ride Stables Inc., Morrison Racing Stables, Jesmeral Stable and Alberg Racing LLC.
Chris Gooden Photo
The featured filly event on the card was the $103,000 Romola Hanover Sire Stakes, won by Sangria Summer and Matt Kakaley. Positioned third from post eight, Kakaley moved Sangria Summer just past an opening half of 54.4 and engaged front-runner Hope Hill through a 27.3 backside. Gaining the lead at the top of the stretch, the Luc Blais trainee held off the fast-closing longshot Say Goodnight for a 1:50.2 victory. The daughter of Captaintreacherous is now six for 12 this season with earnings of more than $300,000 for owner Determination.
In 3-year-old colt Stallion Series action, Good Friday and Matt Kakaley controlled the race and held off challengers to the left and right to score a 1:50.2 victory in their division. Tom Shay trains the son of Tall Dark Stranger for owners Howard Taylor and Teena Freibert. It was a career-best effort for Good Friday.
Ghetto Loupastar and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. pulled a mild 9-1 upset in the second Stallion Series division. A long first-over move from fifth resulted in the third win of the season for the son of Sweet Lou, this time in 1:51.4. Ghetto Loupastar is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura.
Sandyboots Yankee and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. turned in the fastest filly Stallion Series victory with a 1:50 effort. Wrenn used a backside bull rush with the Always B Miki filly to take control and hold off Ok My Way. Trained by Ron Burke, Sandyboots Yankee is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Lawrence Karr and Phillip Collura.
Make It Right made it six wins in 14 starts this season with her Stallion Series victory. Moved first-over past the five-eighths, Tim Tetrick guided the daughter of Papi Rob Hanover through a 27.1 final quarter as Kiluaea Hanover closed for second. Gary McCandless, Jo Ann Looney-King and Larry Rathbone own Make It Right, while Jim King Jr. trains. The 1:50.4 effort was a career best.
Friday’s top honors went to Ronnie Wrenn Jr. with five wins, while the Burke Brigade sent out five winners to earn top stable honors.
Racing resumes Wednesday, September 2, at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows with a 12-race card. First-race post is 12:45 p.m.