Meadows Monday Memo

NOVEMBER RACING SCHEDULE

Hollywood Casino at The Meadows will race three days a week in November, every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:45pm.  The lone exception is that there will be no racing on Thanksgiving Day.

SNYDER RETURNS TO THE BIKE

Before Dave Palone rose to the top of The Meadows’ driving colony in the late 1980s, the dominant driver in town was Doug Snyder.  “The Duke” has collected more than 6500 victories in his long career, but as of a week ago, had not driven a single parimutuel race in 2025.  That changed on Wednesday, when Flightline made his debut for Snyder’s barn.  A recent purchase by owner Geraldine Poerio, Flightline qualified twice with Snyder in the bike, a pair of winning efforts on October 14 and 21.  Last Wednesday, Snyder left from post 4 in his first official drive of the year with the Walner gelding, and sat sixth through nearly the entire mile. At the top of the stretch, Snyder moved Flightline to the outside and the horse rallied with a 28 final quarter to get up for the victory by a neck.  Snyder, 74, will put his perfect driving record on the line this Wednesday in the third race, leaving with Flightline from post 6.

DRIVER CHANGES

With the arrival of Fall, the driving colony is seeing some changes.  It has been noted that Jim Pantaleano and Brady Jenson have returned to The Meadows and are picking up catch drives. One of the track’s regular drivers, Mike Wilder, will be spending this week at the Harrisburg sale and will likely then head South for the winter for training in Florida.  Since returning to Pennsylvania back in March, Wilder has driven in 931 races with 130 wins and a driver rating of .269.  His winter departure will open opportunities in a majority of races in the coming months.

THURSDAY FEATURE

Thursday’s feature race will once again be the $18,000 Open Handicap Trot, featuring a field of seven.  Adamsville Road, out of the John Ryan Melsheimer Stable, has been assigned post 7 after winning the last 2 Meadows Open Trot events.  Dave Palone is listed to drive.

If you would like additional information at any point, please reach out to track announcer Jeff Zidek (jeff.zidek@pennentertainment.com).

by Jeff Zidek, for The Meadows