Ginger Tree Coco sizzles in $81,499 Keystone Classic

WASHINGTON, PA, Sept. 29, 2022  — Ginger Tree Coco (Stay Hungry-Zellweger Bluechip) clicked off the back half in a snappy 55.4 en route to a stake-fastest victory in a career-best 1:52.3 over a “good” surface in Thursday’s $81,499 Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Hello Yes Hi and Butterfingers captured the other divisions in the event for 2-year-old filly pacers. Aaron Merriman enjoyed a stake double behind Ginger Tree Coco and Butterfingers.

Ginger Tree Coco had to battle three wide for the early lead, but after Merriman gave her a 29.1 second-panel breather, she drew off late to down the pocket-sitting Little Lady J by 4-3/4 lengths, with Tallchief Hanover third.

“She’s probably better hunting, but she just seemed so good I put her on the lead,” Merriman said. “I thought she was the best horse, and I raced her like it.”

Sam Beegle trains the filly and owns with Ginger Tree Ventures LLC, Knollview Stable and Robert Reber, Jr.

Hello Yes Hi (Captaintreacherous-Camille) grabbed the lead past the quarter for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. but found herself challenged inside and outside in mid-stretch. The homebred found another gear and held off Calliope Hanover by a neck in 1:53.1. Square Deal completed the ticket.

“I drove her once before, and she won from the 8 hole in a sires stake,” Wrenn said. “She beat some good horses that day, so I wasn’t really concerned late. She’s not a real big filly, but she’s real game.”

Ron Burke conditions Hello Yes Hi, who now has banked $119,177, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, M1 Stable and Jack Piatt II.

Butterfingers (Sweet Lou) moved first up, cleared near the three-quarters and scored in 1:54.1 for owner/trainer Mike Hall. Romantic Evening was second, beaten a length, while Extreme Z Tam rallied for show.

“I was happy they were going so slow up front because my horse has a quick turn of foot,” Merriman said of the daughter of Sweet Lou-Drop The Ball. “It worked out just like I thought it would.”

In Thursday’s $19,300 Open Handicap Trot, Tequila Talkin notched his 11^th win this year when he overtook Refi past the three-quarters and downed him by 3/4 lengths 1:54.2. Mike Wilder drove the 7-year-old Cantab Hall-Margarita Nights gelding, who lifted his lifetime earnings to $313,663, for Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.

Merriman piloted four winners on the 13-race card while Wilder and Burke each fashioned a triple.

Friday’s 13-race program at The Meadows features an $82,500 Keystone Classic for freshman colt and gelding pacers. On the wagering front, the card offers a pair of carryovers: $1,646.65 in the Early Pick 4 (race 2), $343.82 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race 4). First post is 5:10 PM.

For complete race results, click here.

by Evan Pattak for, The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association