Meadows hosts co-features closing day

WASHINGTON, PA, Dec. 29, 2023 — Spring Inhis Step A (Somebeachsomewhere-Summa Of Dreamsmoved) powerfully first over, overtook Chase H Hanover in the stretch and captured Friday’s (Dec. 29) closing-day harness racing co-feature, the $21,200 Open Handicap Pace, at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Chase H Hanover was seeking his fourth straight win, but Spring Inhis Step and Aaron Merriman had other ideas when they set sail from sixth. Spring Inhis Step wore down Chase H Hanover and downed him by a length in 1:50.2. Smooth Baht A finished third.

SPRING INHIS STEP A REPLAY

Jeff Cullipher trains the winner, a 6-year-old gelding who pushed his career bankroll to $170,257 and owns with Pollack Racing LLC.

In the other closing-day co-feature, the $21,200 Open Handicap Trot, The Hazelton (Muscle Mass-Too Good For You) quarter-poled to the top and jogged from there, prevailing in a career-best 1:53 for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., trainer Michael Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Emerald’s Legacy rallied for second, beaten 2-3/4 lengths, with Ponda Adventure third. The 3-year-old gelding now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $189,436.

THE HAZELTON REPLAY

Elsewhere on Friday’s card, 14-year-old Marty Monkhauser A, racing two days before his mandatory retirement, tried to go out in a blaze of glory — and he nearly did, leading the field for more than three-quarters. But those 331 career starts may have taken their toll late, and the gallant warrior faded to fourth for Merriman and owner/trainer Scot Davidson. Marty Monkhouser A retires with $740,827 in earnings.

Jeremy Indof piloted four winners on the 14-race card.

The Meadows kicks off its 2024 season Wednesday (Jan. 3), first post 12:45 PM.

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

by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association