Rose bests Papi Grad again in $252,000 PASS Final

WASHINGTON, PA, Sept. 5, 2024  — When Rose (Sweet Lou) got the jump on Papi Grad and snapped her five-race career unbeaten harness racing streak in the final preliminary leg of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes for freshman filly pacers, some observers predicted that Papi Grad would reverse the results in the PASS final.

Indeed, when Papi Grad drew the rail and Rose post 6 for that final, it appeared that the script could indeed be flipped.

Well, that $252,000 championship took place Thursday at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, and Rose didn’t put out a call for script doctors. She again beat Papi Grad to the punch and took the title.

The Meadows on Thursday hosted all four PASS championships for freshmen, each offering a $252,000 purse and a $50,000 consolation. Much of the attention was focused on the filly pacers, in part because Rose and Papi Grad are among the division’s leaders, in part because of their growing rivalry.

Rose and Yannick Gingras got away on top, with Papi Grad seated behind her. Rose yielded that early lead to Westwinds, but Gingras wasn’t happen with his position and reclaimed the point near the three-quarters.

“That’s the move I wanted to make,” Gingras said. “I thought my filly was a little better than Papi Grad, and I didn’t want her to get the jump on me. The filly in front of me was in distress, so I just pulled the trigger then. Rose is just so handy. I made, like, six moves with her, and she was still trying at the wire.”

The daughter of Sweet Lou-Rosemary Rose held firm and downed Papi Grad  by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:51.2, with long shot Lily White Hanover third. Ron Burke trains Rose, who now has won five of six lifetime outings and $245,913, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jack Piatt III and Larry Karr. Burke indicated Rose would next race in the final of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series at the Red Mile.

ROSE REPLAY

In the consolation, Allegra Hanover broke her maiden with a Lightning Lane charge that got her home in 1:51.3 for Dave Palone, trainer Linda Toscano and owners Jablonsky Held Stable, South Mountain Stables, Jaf Racing LLC and Camelot Stable. Time Of The Season and Beach Rules finished second and third, respectively.

$252,000 Colt & Gelding Trot — Meshuggah

In Yiddish, “meshuggah” means crazy, and that’s what this youngster was — crazy like a fox. While others went wide to challenge Father TJ on the lead, Meshuggah (Greenshoe-Starita) saved ground, shot the Lightning Lane for Scott Zeron and triumphed in a stake-record 1:54.4, a neck better than the first-over Elan Hanover third, while Father TJ saved show.

MESHUGGAH REPLAY

“This was the first time we used pull-out plugs; he’s been a little lazy,” said Matthias Melander, second trainer for his brother, winning conditioner Marcus Melander. “You could see he would cover that ground in the Lightning Lane eventually.”

Courant Inc. campaigns Meshuggah, who has been first or second in all six career starts and banked $220,598.

In the consolation, Bombay Tom, a Bar Hopping-Miss Willa gelding, delivered a 10-1 upset in a career-best 1:55.3 for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., trainer Norm Parker and owners Bart Brice, Todd Brice, Charles Receski and Ed Receski. Gimlet Hanover and Non Disclosure rounded out the ticket.

$252,000 Colt & Gelding Pace —Papi’s Rocket

As the field turned for home, Papi’s Rocket (Papi Rob Hanover-Real Touch) and Wrenn found themselves in scramble mode looking for a seam. Outside routes were congested, but would the Lightning Lane get there soon enough?

“We got the three-quarters in 1:21, so I knew everyone was tired,” Wrenn said. “I thought the Lightning Lane might work out, and it did.”

PAPI’S ROCKET REPLAY

The winner prevailed in 1:51.1, fastest mile of his career, and gave Burke his second title on the day. Go Go Grassopper, the even-money favorite, finished second, beaten 1/2 length, with Railroad Station third. Papi’s Rocket boosted his bankroll to $182,423 for Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Slaughter Racing Stable.

In the consolation, Joel And The Jets moved smartly first over to score for Bob McClure, trainer Dr. Ian Moore and owner Joel & The Jets Stable. It was the first-ever win at The Meadows for the Canada-based McClure. Wedlock Blue Chip and the rallying Bitcoin Hanover completed the ticket.

$252,000 Filly Trot — Shes A Shoe In

She’s A Shoe In (Greenshoe) extended one of the day’s major themes — long shots using the Lightning Lane to upset. She won at 16-1 for Mark MacDonald and trainer Ray Schnittker, who owns the daughter of Greenshoe-Casaubon with MA3 Racing Stable. Early leader Blueberry finished 1-1/2 lengths behind the winner, who lifted her earnings to $177,117, while Divine Thing and Princess Jackie dead-heated for show.

“She has a ton of speed,” Schnittker said. “She’s a little green, but it looks like she’s settling down now. It wasn’t from lack of talent that we weren’t winning. She’s staked pretty good.”

SHE’S A SHOE IN REPLAY

Elaine T S won the consolation in 1:56.2 over Payback Moni and Hangover. Ake Svanstedt conditions the daughter of Southwind  Frank-High Heels for Brochart Stable Inc., Ecurie Diocles, Ab and Ake Svanstedt Inc.

Saturday’s card at The Meadows features a pair or carryovers: $1,171.86 in the Early Pentafecta (race 4), $455.21 in the Pick 5 (race 9). First post is 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association