Ron Burke drives first winner in seven years

WASHINGTON, PA, March 22, 2023 — It’s hardly unusual to see trainer Ron Burke in the winners’ circle; he’s harness racing’s all-time leading trainer after all.

But Burke winners’ circle sightings as a driver are rare, since he usually names others to pilot the horses he conditions. His last purse start had been the 2022 Hall of Fame Trot at Goshen on July 3. His most recent pari-mutuel driving victory had come on March 16, 2016.

That all ended Wednesday (March 22) at The Meadows when Burke steered the 3-year-old trotting colt Rose Run Yorick (What The Hill-She’s Nutz) to victory in his career debut. The colt brought $160,000 as a yearling; alas, poor Yorick didn’t make it to the races at 2.

On Wednesday, he trotted like a seasoned pro for his trainer, coming off the pylons late to split horses and triumph in 2:00.3 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Remains to be seen whether the trainer will allow this Burke guy to keep the driving gig.

ROSE RUN YORICK REPLAY

True Seelster (All Bets Off-Tanis Seelster) moved easily first over and captured Wednesday’s $16,800 championship of the Donna Dunn Memorial for 3- and 4-year-old filly and mare pacers.

True Seeslter paced patiently in third until the three-quarters when Braeelster from trainer Brady Jenson before the start of the series and sent her to the stable of trainer Mark Goldberg.

“Brady Jenson did all the work with hedy Brown moved her off the cones and asked her for go. The 3-year-old filly overpowered the leader, Imelda Hanover, and prevailed in 1:54.2, matching her career best. Beth Dutton shot the Lightning Lane for second, 2 lengths back, while Imelda Hanover saved show.

Owners George Kehm and Jerry Kehm purchased True Sr,” Goldberg said. “We were just happy to be able to get her.”

Goldberg said True Seelster would be pointed to an April series at The Meadows but could have richer engagements in her future.

“She’s eligible to sires stakes in Ontario,” he indicated. “Depending on how she does, we might send her to Canada for some of those.”

TRUE SEELSTER REPLAY

Hunter Myers collected three wins — including a pair for trainer Stacey Currie — on the 13-race card.

Thursday’s program at The Meadows features a pair of series finals — the $17,600 championship of the Dale McConnell Memorial for 3- and 4-year-old trotting colts, horses and geldings, and the $17,200 championship of the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial for 3- and 4-year-old filly and mare trotters. On the wagering front, the 13-race card offers a $912.36 carryover in the final-race Pentafecta. First post is 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here.

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association