By Tyler Stillings for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
For the third consecutive day, Hollywood Casino at The Meadows hosted Keystone Classic events, featuring two $28,000 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies and two $29,000 divisions for pacing colts on the day’s 15-race card.
The 3-year-old pacing colts were highlighted by Another C Note’s 1:48.1 stakes-record performance in his Keystone Classic division. Driven by Ronnie Wrenn Jr., the son of Captaintreacherous watched from the pocket as Superchamp Hanover put up blazing fractions of 25.4, 53.2 and 1:20.4 at three-quarters. As Highland B Best raced first-over at the leader, Another C Note moved to the lightning lane to close out the victory.
Trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Let It Ride Stables and Scott Dillon, Another C Note now adds a 1:48.1 mark to his résumé. Highland B Best, with Troy Beyer, ground out the place spot over pacesetter Superchamp Hanover.
Good Friday was indeed very good, winning his Keystone Classic division on Friday. Dave Palone had the Tall Dark Stranger gelding on point from start to finish in a career-best, equaling 1:50.3 effort. While Dave was cruising to victory up front, Tim Tetrick used a second-over trip to get place money with Generational Wealth, while Shawn Johnston rallied Southwind Spencer for show in 1:50.3. The winner is owned by Howard Tsaylor and Teena Freibert.
Chris Gooden Photo
The 3-year-old Keystone Classic filly divisions were dominated by the Burke Brigade, with convincing wins by Sandyboots Yankee and I’m A Lou Lou.
Sandyboots Yankee, with Ronnie Wrenn Jr. in the sulky, cleared to the lead just past an opening 27-second quarter, then waited until the three-quarters in 1:23.2 before dashing away to a five-length romp in 1:50.4. A 27.2 final quarter propelled the daughter of Always B Miki to her fourth straight win in stakes action for owners Burke Racing LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Lawrence Karr and Phillip Collura. With The Fur and Aaron Merriman saved ground along the rail to finish second over Kilauea Hanover and Mike Wilder.
Chris Gooden Photo
I’m A Lou Lou turned in the fastest Keystone Classic filly division with a powerful 1:49.3 effort. Tim Tetrick moved the Sweet Lou filly to the lead past the opening quarter in 26.3 and never looked back. Despite the quick early fractions, I’m A Lou Lou widened her lead following the 1:21.3 three-quarters with a 28-second final quarter. The four-length victory was her third of the season for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Knox Services, Lawrence Karr and Phillip Collura. Robins Song and Mike Wilder finished second, while Make It Right and Aaron Merriman held the show spot.
Chris Gooden Photo
It was a “Double Dutch” on the day as International Amateur Driving event action continued. Dutch driver Yanick Mollema repeated his performance from the previous day with another win in the only Amateur event of the day. Mollema waited patiently along the rail before taking over at the three-quarters and rolling off to a nine-length victory.
Chris Gooden Photo
Friday’s top driving honors belonged to Ronnie Wrenn Jr. with six wins, while trainer Ron Burke led all trainers with seven victories.
There will be no live racing at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows next week. Live racing will return to its three-day schedule on September 30, with first-race post at 12:45 p.m.