Whiskey Blu too tough in Arden Downs Stake

WASHINGTON, PA — Whiskey Blu survived a demanding opening panel and rolled to a comfortable harness racing victory in Saturday’s James Manderino, a $36,995 Arden Downs Grand Circuit Stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, at The Meadows.

Capstone, the 3-5 favorite, parked Whiskey Blu past the quarter in 27.3, but winning driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. indicated he wasn’t unduly concerned about that tough early journey.

“I had to steady him to make sure he got through the first turn,” Wrenn said. “But once I got to the lead, I was pretty confident in my horse. I kept his attention late, but he had a lot more trot. He’s nice. There’s a reason he’s already won 11 times this year. I imagine he’d be really good on a big track, but he was strong today.”

Indeed, the 3-year-old Southwind Frank-Kendall Blue gelding never let a threatening outside flow develop, and he held off the Lightning Lane charge of Flemsteen to prevail by a length in 1:54.3. Capstone saved show.

WHISKEY BLUE REPLAY

Ron Burke trains Whiskey Blu, who was unraced at 2 but now has banked $137,077, for Burke Racing Stable, Kitefield Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

In the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace, Burke and Wrenn teamed again with Macadoodledoo, who erased an 8-1/2-length deficit to score by a length in 1:50.3. Prince Of Tides and Wild Wild Western completed the ticket.

Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi campaign Macadoodledoo, a 6-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Pirouette Hanover gelding who lifted his lifetime earnings to $280,162.

Burke and Wrenn turned in a sparkling day, winning six and five races, respectively. Their totals are even more impressive when you consider that two of the day’s 13 races were amateur events. Tony Hall also enjoyed a super Saturday with three victories.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a pair of stakes for freshman male trotters — a $125,000 (est) Pennsylvania Sires Stake and a $60,000 (est) PA Stallion Series event — as well as a $14,694.27 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 PM.

For full race results, click here.

by Evan Pattak, for the MSOA