Favorites control Keystone Classic splits

WASHINGTON, PA, Sept. 26, 2024  — As expected, heavy favorites Blackhawk Zette (Cantab Hall, 1-9) and Usain Hanover (Bar Hopping-Up Front Hotsey, 6-5) subdued overmatched competition, each winning a harness racing split in Thursday’s  $55,550 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Fresh off a third-place finish to national star T C I in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes championship, Blackhawk Zette had an opportunity to drop in third from the gate in the Keystone Classic, but neither he nor driver Matt Kakaley was interested in an early seat.

Instead, the son of Cantab Hall-Zette Starlet powered to the point before yielding it to the first-over Ordained. In the final turn, Blackhawk Zette exploded past Ordained and defeated him by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:53.3.

“Honestly, I didn’t think it really mattered what I did with him as long as I didn’t get him in a bad spot where he was trapped in,” Kakaley said. “He’s up there (with the best in his division). He tries, and he’s beautiful to drive.”

Long shot Thaler Hanover rallied for show.

BLACKHAWK ZETTE REPLAY

Blackhawk Zette now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $260,079 for trainer Robert Baggitt, Jr. and owner J.L. Sadowsky LLC.

Usain Hanover, who finished second in that PASS final, trotted patiently in third until Dave Palone sent him first up after the leader, Green Pastures. The gelding cleared in a heartbeat and downed Activation — under wraps — by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53.4.

Going Green finished third.

“He’s coming out of sires stake company, and this was probably a softening for him,” Palone said. “I thought if I could sit two turns, we were probably in good shape. I never removed his earplugs; he was shut down late. He’s a fresh horse for this late in the season.”

Nifty Norman conditions Usain Hanover, who boosted his career earnings to $195,589, for Enzed Racing Stable Inc.

USAIN HANOVER REPLAY

Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. piloted three winners on the 13-race card, giving him seven victories over the last two days.

Friday’s program at The Meadows features a $54,750 Keystone Classic for 3-year-old filly pacers. First post is 12:45 PM.

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

by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association