World champion defeated in Currier & Ives Trots

WASHINGTON, PA, June 17, 2023 — Herodotus (Bar Hopping-Regal Woman) kicked past world champion Rumble Strips in the Lightning Lane to capture a harness racing division of Saturday’s (Jun. 17) Currier & Ives at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Commander Frank (Southwind Frank-Lady Athens) took the other split of the $95,790 stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Herodotus released Rumble Strips at the quarter and stalked from the pocket. It was a great trip, but between Herodotus and victory was the fastest 2-year-old trotter ever on a half-mile track. How confident was winning driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. that he could kick past the champ?

“I wasn’t sure because I raced against Rumble Strips in Ohio, and he’s a really nice trotter,” Wrenn said. “So when I released him to the front, I was hopeful that I had enough trot to beat him late. I kind of looked forward to driving my horse from the two hole because he races better tracking one.”

Herodotus scored in 1:55, a length better than the rallying Express Man, while Rumble Strips, competing outside Ohio for the first time in his 14-race career, slipped to third. Ron Burke trains Herodotus, a Hambletonian-eligible gelding who now has banked $152,577, for Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

HERODOTUS REPLAY

Expectations for the other division changed when the wings of the gate folded and John Dutton, the 2-5 favorite ducked and got away fifth. That helped Commander Frank quarter-pole to the point for Mike Wilder and get home with little pressure.

He scored in a career-best 1:53.4, 1-1/2 lengths better than early leader Tailgate Buzz. Fire N Lightning completed the ticket. John Dutton struggled first up and finished fourth.

“He’s an awfully nice horse,” said Norm Parker, who trains the homebred for Tom Brice, Bart Brice, Charles Receski and Ed Receski. “The last two weeks he got really bad trips and raced great. So I figured once he reached the front so easy, it should be our race. He’s eligible to the Breeders Crown but not the Hambo, so we’ll pick and choose.”

COMMANDER FRANK REPLAY

In Saturday’s $21,200 Open Handicap Pace, Wild Wild Western (Western Ideal-Caila Fra) turned back late challenges inside and outside to triumph in 1:50.2 for Wilder, Parker and owners Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters. The 7-year-old vaulted over $600,000 in lifetime earnings.

Also, for the third time this week, a freshman facing the starter for the first time won for owner/trainer Mitchell York. Saturday’s winner was colt pacer Aintbluenomore (Heston Blue Chip-Jenna’s Delight), who joined his stablemates, the filly pacer Darey Queen and the colt pacer Rose Run Zeke, as winners at first asking.

WILD WILD WESTERN REPLAY

Wilder collected four wins on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the track, prompted by a $3,083.84 carryover, will offer a $10,000 guarantee for the early Pick 4 (race 1). First post is 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here.

by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association