Two-year-olds battle at The Meadows

WASHINGTON, PA, July 11, 2024 — Pinned against the cones with no path outside as the field turned for home, Fancy Like Louuuuu (Sweet Lou-Somewhere Sweet) found the Lightning Lane just in time and scored in Thursday’s Pop-Up Series at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Skepticism (Tall Dark Stranger) captured the other $10,000 second-leg division in the event for freshman filly pacers.

Fancy Like Louuuu had plenty of pace but no room to challenge the leader, Angel Heart, until the pocket-sitting Ava’s Remy moved wide for the drive. That left Fancy Like Louuuuu and Aaron Merriman the inside route to victory — and they took it, powering past Angel Heart to down her by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4. Ava’s Remy finished third. Sarah Andrews trains the filly and owns with Angela Cornell and Jarod Miller.

FANCY LIKE LOUUUU REPLAY

Undeterred by the presence of 1-5 favorite Country Dancing leaving alongside her, Skepticism took her time making the point, but she had little trouble from there, breaking her maiden in 1:56 for Mike Wilder, trainer Doug Snyder and owner Frank Poerio, Jr.

Anna Loves Bananas was second, 3 lengths back, with Dancin With Pappi third. Country Dancing, meanwhile, struggled first over and finished fourth.

SKEPTICISM REPLAY

Aaron Merriman piloted four winners on the 13-race card.

Friday’s program at The Meadows features a pair of stakes for freshman colt and gelding trotters: a $163,135 Pennsylvania Sires Stake and an $80,000 PA Stallion Series event.

On the wagering front, the card offers a $7,500 guarantee in the Early Pick 4 (race 1) courtesy The Meadows, the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) and the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Initiative. Also featured is a $1,224.41 carryover in the Pick 5 (race 9). First post is 5:10 PM.

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

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association