Stakes record tied in Keystone Classic

WASHINGTON, PA, Sept. 29, 2023 — Brue Hanover (Stay Hungry-Blind Ambition) made up 1-1/2 lengths in the Lightning Lane and scored in 1:49.1, matching the stakes record in Friday’s $69,100 Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Muskateer Hanover (Sweet Lou-Marinade Hanover) also used the Lightning Lane to capture the other division in the event for 3-year-old colt and gelding harness racing pacers.

It was the final day of the 2023 stakes season at The Meadows, and Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. and trainer Ron Burke made the most of it. Burke started 18 horses over the 14-race card and won six races — four with Wrenn aboard. Hunter Myers and Dave Palone also enjoyed big days with three victories apiece.

Brue Hanover sprinted to the early lead but soon found himself second behind Fulton, who was hard used from post 8. But even as Tip Top Cat took the point first over, winning driver Brady Brown was confident of his chances.

“I knew I would get down in the passing lane pretty early because the horse on the lead was kind of bearing out, so I knew I would get a straight shot earlier,” Brown said. “I thought I’d run them down pretty quick.”

BRU HANOVER REPLAY

The gelding, who has earned $136,091 for Burke and owner Brad Grant, downed Tip Top Cat by 1/2 length while Ervin Hanover finished third to give Burke a sweep of the top three spots. Brue Hanover’s time matched the record I Like Dreamin established in 2012.

The scenario was similar for Muskateer Hanover (Sweet Lou) as he brushed through the Lightning Lane to prevail in a career-best 1:49.4 for Myers and Burke. Just Bet It All rallied for second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, with early leader Idiosyncratic third.

“He kind of bears in a little bit in the last turn, so as soon as I got some room, I was trying to get down in there as fast as I could go,” Myers said. “I knew it was a good spot.”

MUSKATEER HANOVER REPLAY

Burke Racing Stable, Jim Simpson, Bridgette Jablonsky and Wingfield Five campaign the gelding.

$78,100 Keystone Classic — 3-Year-Old Filly Pace

Late For Dinner, Utopia Blue Chip and Beach Cowgirl each took a split in Friday’s co-feature.

The 6-5 favorite, Late For Dinner (Stay Hungry-Ubettergo) surrendered the early lead to C Is For Cookie but moved outside in the stretch drive for Wrenn to defeat her by 1/2 length in 1:50.3, fastest win in her career. Racin Hungry completed the ticket.

Wrenn said he much preferred an outside route to the Lightning Lane.

“She was drifting out a little bit,” he said. “I think she would have gone up the passing lane, but I preferred the outside. She seemed a little more comfortable doing that. I thought she’d pace a little bit more that way.”

LATE FOR DINNER REPLAY

Burke trains the filly for owner/breeder William Donovan.

Utopia Blue Chip (Sweet Lou-Reign On Me), on the other hand, was more than happy to use the Lightning Lane for Drew Monti, triumphing by 1-1/2 lengths in a career-fastest 1:50.3. The first up Knights Tale and Hungry Lizzo rounded out the ticket.

“I knew I would have enough racetrack,” Monti said of the filly. “I was concerned about the leader, who looked a little bit empty going into the last turn. But I thought she had enough to get me to the Lightning Lane. Got lucky — we’ll take it”

UTOPIA BLUE CHIP REPLAY

For the fourth time this year, Tom “Mayhem” Svrcek captured a $10,000 leg of the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. It happened Friday when Svrcek teamed with Whiskey Lindy (Cantab Hall), who has provided Mayhem with three of those four wins.

Bob “Saint” Barnard (Alana Hill) pocketed Svrcek early, a position that sometimes can be troublesome for the front-end-loving Whiskey Lindy.

“He was confortable in the pocket,” Svrcek said. “As long as he’s placed forwardly, he’s competitive. If he gets too far off, he kind of gives it up. When I was in the turn, I thought I had a ton of trot. But when those horses looked eye to eye, he struggled a little bit. But he got up.”

Barnard raced gallantly, but Svrcek prevailed by a neck in 1:56.4. Scott “Bomber” Betts (Muscle Hall) and Floyd “Roper” Rhodes (Back Door Man) finished third and fourth, respectively.

WHISKEY LINDY REPLAY

Bryce Brocklehurst trains Whiskey Lindy, a 9-year-old gelding who boasts a lifetime bankroll of $135,082, for owners Janet Collins and Svrcek.

The Meadows next week will introduce its Fall-Winter schedule, which features live cards each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday kicking off at 12:45 each day. When live racing resumes Wednesday, the program will offer a $1,048.05 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race 4).

With its stakes season completed, The Meadows next week will introduce its Fall-Winter schedule, which features live cards each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday kicking off at 12:45 each day. When live racing resumes Wednesday, the program will offer a $1,048.05 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race 4).

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

by Evan Pattak, For The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association