Washington, PA – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action returned to Hollywood Casino at The Meadows Friday afternoon (May 8) with two $49,000 divisions of the Hickory Smoke and three Stallion Series divisions, all for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.
The first division of the Hickory Smoke saw Captain Vodka and Ridge Warren take advantage of a swift opening half of :56 on their way to a lifetime-best 1:54.3 victory. Sitting third through the early going, Warren moved the Captain Corey gelding past the 5/8 pole, clearing at the head of the stretch and holding off a late-charging Greenarrow Hanover. Captain Vodka is trained by Robert Baggitt Jr., who shares ownership with J L Sodowsky LLC and Christine Baggitt.
Ridge Warren would score again in the second Hickory Smoke division, this time using a :28.2 last quarter to guide Fineline Hanover to a career-best effort of 1:53.2. Racing an unhurried fifth for the first three-quarters, Warren confidently moved the gelded son of Captain Corey three-wide halfway through the final turn, and from there trotted to a career-best and fastest division win of the day. Ron Coyne Jr. trains Fineline Hanover, now two for three in 2026, for owners Ron Coyne Stables, Blaire Corbeil, Mike McAllister, and Larry & Gregg Stables.
Harlem Hanover and Dave Palone took the overland route in winning the day’s fastest Stallion Series division. Sitting fourth at the half and unable to flush cover, Palone raced the Bar Hopping colt first-over through a :56.3 back half to pick up the 1:54.3 victory for owners Susan Dougherty and Perry Wilson, along with trainer William Dougherty Jr.
The Palone/Dougherty connection would strike again in the second Stallion Series division, this time with Glenlivet getting the honors. Landing third from post 1, Palone used the cover of Emmett Hanover to the head of the stretch and from there trotted off to a two-length, 1:54.4 victory for owner Susan Dougherty. The clocking was a lifetime-best win for the son of Bar Hopping.
Dave Palone completed the Stallion Series hat trick by guiding Captain Nathan to a wire-to-wire 1:54.4 victory in his division. Leaving from post 6, Palone sent the Captain Corey 3-year-old to the front and took advantage of favorable fractions to hold off Credible Control in a last-quarter sprint to the wire. Captain Nathan, trained and owned by Jessica Hayter and co-owned by Edward Hayter, used a :28.1 last quarter to remain unbeaten in his 3-year-old campaign.
For the day, Palone led all drivers with five wins, while trainers Brandon Presto, William Dougherty, and Bill Bercury each had two winners.
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows returns with live racing next Thursday (May 14) – Saturday (May 16) with a 12:45 p.m. Post Time.