Al Papi paces to world record

Washington, PA — Al Papi became the fastest ever 2-year-old pacing colt on a five-eighths-mile track by virtue of his 1:49.2 win in the first of two $69,182 harness racing divisions of the Tyler B, a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event for male rookie pacers, held Thursday (Aug. 21) at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Frantic Hanover (Stay Hungry) captured the other split in a lifetime best 1:50 to remain undefeated and give trainer Ron Burke a sweep of the day’s marquee events.

Al Papi traveled unopposed through early fractions of :27 and :55.4 before driver Yannick Gingras stepped on the gas up the backstretch. The Papi Rob Hanover-Baron Remy colt responded with a :53.3 back half and downed Toast Of The Town by a length. Melillo recovered from an early miscue to save show.

AL PAPI REPLAY

Now a three-time winner from five starts, Al Papi has earned $109,674 while competing as a homebred for Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Larry Karr and Weaver Bruscemi. He paid $3.40 to win.

Frantic Hanover got away third behind 28-1 pacesetter Thai Hanover in the other division before Tim Tetrick quarter-moved him to the lead after a :27.4 first panel. From there, the Stay Hungry-Francessa colt had no trouble, using a :26.2 final quarter to draw three lengths clear of Thai Hanover. Ain’tplayinnice finished third.

Frantic Hanover has now won all five of his career starts and earned $153,564 for Burke Racing Stable, Brad Grant, Knox Services and Weaver Bruscemi. As the 1-9 favorite, he returned $2.20.

FRANTIC HANOVER REPLAY

Burke, who in total harnessed six winners on the 13-race program, kicked off his stakes hat trick with Loumelo Ball, who rode the pocket to a 1:53.1 win in a $20,000 Stallion Series event. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. drove the Sweet Lou-Fashion Fluzzy colt. David Miller drove the other two Stallion Series winners, teaming up with Doug Snyder trainee Southwind Spencer (1:52.4) and Eddie Dennis trainee Easy Breeze (1:53.3).

The Meadows is dark for live racing this Friday and Saturday (Aug. 22-23). When live racing resumes Wednesday (Aug. 27), the track will return to its customary Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule. First post is 12:45 p.m.

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

From the USTA