Mark Weaver has high hopes for Ms Prada in PASS

WASHINGTON, PA, June 28, 2024 — With eight of the 16 freshman filly trotters facing the starter for the first time in Saturday’s (June 29) $158,798 Pennsylvania Sires Stake at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, it’s hard to know which of the well-bred harness racing youngsters will step up and shine. Yet for several reasons, Ms Prada (Greenshoe) may be one to watch.

For one, she is the first living foal out of Asiago ($422,360, 1:50.4T), who at 3 captured the Kentucky Sires Stake championship and finished third to When Dovescry in the Hambletonian Oaks. Asiago also was precocious at 2, taking a division of the International Stallion Stakes at the Red Mile.

As her mom, Ms Prada is eligible in both Kentucky and Pennsylvania, although Mark Weaver, who with Weaver Bruscemi LLC is part of the ownership team (through Burke Racing Stable), isn’t sure how vigorously she’ll pursue both titles.

“She’s been great from Day 1,” Weaver said. “She did it from behind in her first qualifier, up front the second time the second time. She’s the highest ranked of our 12 trotting fillies.

“But it’s kind of hard to do both Pennsylvania and Kentucky. We’ll base her schedule on what we have going in other divisions. She’s our only trotting filly who’s Kentucky eligible.”

There’s a second reason for closely following Ms Prada. She’s one of the first products of the freshly minted collaboration between Ron Burke, the sport’s all-time leading trainer, and Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky, former executive vice president and syndicate manager for Hanover Shoe Farms. Last year, “Dr. J” signed on as yearling consultant for Burke, evaluating the talent at auctions and making purchase recommendations. Ms Prada is from Dr. J’s first crop, so to speak.

“Our homebreds, knock on wood, have been great,” Weaver said. “But I think evaluating for-sale yearlings was an area in which we could improve. The top yearling sales tend to overlap some of the richest stakes. Having Dr. J aboard will allow Ronnie to focus on what he does best — win races.”

Burke may not have needed another powerful weapon in his arsenal, but it appears he has one.

Also on the Ms Prada ownership team are Beasty LLC, Joseph DiScala, Jr. and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby. She goes in race 4, post 4, with Mike Wilder driving.

Saturday’s program also features an $80,000 PA Stallion Series stake for 2-year-old filly trotters. First post is 12:45 PM.

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association