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WASHINGTON, PA, July 12, 2024 — Wapiti Blue Chip (International Moni-Make It Blue Chip) took control at the quarter and kept right on marching, scoring in a harness racing track record 1:54.2 in Friday’s $163,135 Pennsylvania Sires Stake at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
The mile by the gelding is the fastest ever by a two-year-old gelding trotter at The Meadows, knocking two ticks from the mark established by Real Cool Sam in 2019.
The stake, known as the Hickory Pride, was contested over three divisions, with Meshuggah and Fashion Green — both driven by Dave Palone — taking the other splits.
Once the horses settled from the gate, Braxton Boyd confidently moved Wapiti Blue Chip to the point.
“He raced pretty well his last time out, so I was hoping for the best,” said winning trainer Mahlon Martin of his $45,000 yearling purchase. He indicated Wapiti Blue Chip will race primarily in Pennsylvania this season.
Early leader Arrowhead Hanover was second, 1/2 length back, with Cantab Zette third. Ashley Burslam, Steven Mullen and Gregory Garton own Wapiti Blue Chip.
WAPITI BLUE CHIP REPLAY
Meshuggah (Greenshoe) had shown talent and manners in his sole previous start, but in the Hickory Pride, he was trying to track down a still-strong Elan Hanover in the stretch. Palone was by no means sure he could do it.
“I really didn’t know if I would beat him or not; I just wanted my colt to finish up strong,” he said. “They were both trotting strong at the wire. I thought, I’m following along with some talent, let’s see which one wants to get his nose up first.”
It took the entire stretch, but the colt edged Elan Hanover by a head in 1:55. Big Shoes completed the ticket. Marcus Melander conditions Meshuggah, a $120,000 yearling acquisition, for Courant Inc.
MESHUGGAH REPLAY
Fashion Green (Greenshoe) and driver Dave Palone were parked out first-over early in their division of the PASS, and it took them until the backstretch to get by pacesetter and race favorite Cheers Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) and then roll away from the field to win by five open lengths in 1:55.2. Dive Bar Hanover (Hunter Myers) was second with The Fix Is In (Charlie Norris) finished third.
Fashion Green is a homebred gelding owned by Fashion Farms and trained by Jim Campbell. He paid $5.00 to win.
FASHION GREEN REPLAY
$80,000 PA Stallion Series Stake — 2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trotters
In Friday’s sub-feature, Scudo Hanover (International Moni-Shared Past), Podico, Manolo Hanover and Credit To Frank each captured a division. Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. and trainer Ron Burke enjoyed a stake double with Podico and Credit To Frank.
Winning driver Boyd never had sat behind Scudo Hanover before, so what was his strategy?
“I went back and watched a couple of his replays,” Boyd said. “I pretty much saw he was pretty perfect. I got to sneak in the two-hole leaving, and everything else pretty much took care of itself.”
In the stretch, he cruised by the leader, Munster Mash Trick, defeating him by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.1. Non Disclosure was third. Syl King, Jr. trains the gelding for Keystone Stable.
In Friday’s $21,200 Open Pace, lightly regarded American Fling (American Ideal-Feeling You) pulled off the 18-1 upset to soar over $400,000 in career earnings. Mike Wilder piloted the 4-year-old gelding for trainer Randy Bendis, who owns with Pollack Racing LLC.
Allen Sisco sent Golden Compass (Sebastian K S-Zette Angel) aggressively toward the front from post 9, found a seat second and rallied through the Lightning Lane to spring the 18-1 shocker in Friday’s $10,000 leg of the Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association (GLADA) Trot.
Golden Compass was coming off a win at The Meadows, but even Sisco had doubts about the chances of the 6-year-old from post 9.
“There’s no other option with this horse (from post 9),” he said. “He’s aggressive, so we’re kind of just a passenger with him a lot of days. I’m just happy that he minded his manners. That’s the first time we’ve had the nine hole with him.”
Golden Compass kicked by the leader in the lane and held off Don Sherman (Oberto), who recovered from an early break, to triumph in 1:54.2. Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford (Holton) and Bob “Saint” Barnard (I Love My MVP) rounded out the ticket.
GOLDEN COMPASS REPLAY
Sisco trains Golden Compass, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $141,407, for Oldford Racing LLC.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Saturday when the program features a $2,029 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race 4). First post is 12:45 PM.
Wilder collected four wins and Palone three on the 13-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Saturday, when the program features a $2,029 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race 4). First post is 12:45 PM.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
