Washington, PA – Hollywood Casino at The Meadows welcomed October with a pair of $24,475 Keystone Classic events for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Thursday (Oct. 1).
Fineline Hanover and driver Dave Palone put up all the fractions en route to a 1:52.3 victory in the fastest Keystone Classic division. After an opening quarter of :27.1, Palone was able to relax the son of Captain Corey through a :57 half. From there, it was all Fineline Hanover, who paced a :55.3 back half to keep pocket-sitter Hamlet Hall 2-1/4 lengths back in second, with Emmett Hanover holding the show spot.
Carter Pinske handled the training duties for owners Ron Coyne Stables Inc., Blair Corbeil, Mike McAllister, and Larry & Gregg Stable. Fineline Hanover is now six for 11 this season with earnings of more than $146,000.
In the other Keystone Classic division, Exactly and Palone raced patiently before a three-wide move on the final turn resulted in a 3-1/2-length victory. Unhurried from post 2, the son of Bar Hopping raced fifth through the early going before flushing cover just before the :56.4 half. He stayed with the cover until past the three-quarters before sliding three wide, overtaking front-runner Oversear, and trotting home in :28.1 to complete the mile in 1:53. Oversear and Captain Vodka hit the line together for a dead heat for place.
Exactly’s Keystone Classic victory was his fourth in a row and seventh win from 10 starts, pushing his lifetime earnings over $100,000 for owner Stephen Palermo. Tim Twaddle handles the training responsibilities.
Thursday’s top driving honors went to Palone, who recorded three wins, while Dirk Simpson and Abigail Wright each had two training wins.
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows resumes racing Friday (Oct. 2) with a 14-race card featuring 3-year-old trotting filly Keystone Classics. First-race post time is 12:45 p.m. (EDT).