by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — Pennsylvania’s top freshmen will duel for statewide bragging rights — and big-time cash — this Friday when The Meadows Racetrack & Casino hosts the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes championships for 2-year-olds as the anchor of a card that will offer more than $1.2 million in purses.

In addition to the four PASS finals, the program features a $50,000 consolation in each division and a quartet of Invitational events, each with a purse of $50,000.

The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, which is providing financial support for the Invitationals, will enhance the festivities with such fan-favorite activities as jog cart and starting gate rides and a special trackside appearance by Make A Success, one-time world champion from the Dan Altmeyer stable.

“We want to create an Adios-like atmosphere for our fans and remind them that exciting events occur at The Meadows throughout the year,” said Mike Jeannot, president of Meadows Racing. “We deeply appreciate the collaboration of the MSOA in making this happen.”

The filly championships include two of the top performers in the PASS this year. Champagne Tonight comes into the championship pace with six wins — including three of her four PASS splits — in seven career starts and $202,316 in earnings for trainer Clair Umholtz and owners Umholtz Racing Stable, Ngaire Umholtz and Kennedy Sports Corp. Tony Hall will guide the daughter of Western Terror-Lake Shore Drive from post three.

The filly trot offers perhaps the most recognizable of PASS finalists — Frau Blucher, who was named for the Cloris Leachman character in the Mel Brooks film Young Frankenstein. But the daughter of Broadway Hall-My Angel is more than a paean to Hollywood. She’s never been off the board in eight lifetime outings and has banked $230,078 for Hauser Bros Racing and Matt Tudisco. The Chris Oakes charge leaves from post four for Dave Palone.

Trainers Ron Burke, Jim Campbell, Kelly O’Donnell and Jimmy Takter have three horses apiece in the championships. First post Friday is 6:55 p.m., with the championships to go as races 7-10.