Washington, PA — The Friday (June 26) harness racing card at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows gave racing fans a featured attraction in the Currier & Ives Trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings, along with a glimpse of the future in two Pop-Up Series divisions for 2-year-old pacing fillies.
Endurance lived up to his name in the $90,675 Currier & Ives for 3-year-old colt trotters, overcoming post 9 in the 10-horse field to establish a stakes record with a 1:52.4 victory.
Unhurried early, Endurance and regular driver Andy McCarthy avoided the brisk early fractions and settled mid-pack. When Hamlet Hall moved first-over, McCarthy followed at the three-eighths, but stalled cover left Endurance three-wide approaching the five-eighths. As the leaders began to tire, Endurance and McCarthy found room along the rail and held off Hamlet Hall to secure the victory.
A 3-year-old son of Captain Corey, Endurance now owns nine wins in 12 starts and has earned more than $750,000 for trainer Chris Beaver and owners Super Endurance Stable, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Mark Moger.
The two Pop-Up Series divisions for 2-year-old pacing fillies produced a pair of impressive front-end performances.
In the opening division, the team of driver Brady Brown and trainer Steve Schoeffel captured the victory with That’s Faith. Brown guided the Stay Hungry filly patiently through three-quarters in 1:31.4 before asking her for more turning for home. Joined late by pocket-sitter EA Gator Soup, That’s Faith paced her final quarter in :27.4 to prevail by a head in 1:59.3, with a back half of :58.2.
That’s Faith was a $17,000 yearling purchase and is owned by Kathy Schoeffel, Roger Romesser, Marian Schilling and Brett Schoeffel.
In the second Pop-Up Series division, Mike Wilder sent Iwillalwayslouveu to the lead, reaching the half in :58.2 with a 2-length advantage. After a comfortable trip up the backside, the daughter of Sweet Lou sprinted home in :27.2 to score an 8-length victory in 1:55.1.
Trained by Ron Burke, Iwillalwayslouveu was bred and is owned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.
On the 12-race program, Brown, Wilder, Justin Irvine and McCarthy each recorded driving doubles. The Burke stable was the only training operation to post multiple victories, winning twice.
Racing at The Meadows resumes Saturday afternoon (June 27) with a 13-race card. First post is scheduled for 12:45 p.m.