Washington, PA – Hollywood Casino at The Meadows featured 2-year-old fillies Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 16), with two $40,050 Keystone Classics for pacers and a single $58,150 Keystone Classic for trotters.
Dave Palone steered Aestas and Love Somebody to victory, taking both divisions of the 2-year-old filly pacer Keystone Classic.
Aestas’ effort of 1:52 was the fastest Keystone Classic division. After stretching an opening quarter in :27.2, Palone was able to get a favorable :57 middle half, setting up a sprint to the wire. With Wish For A Captain on her back, Aestas let go with a :27.2 final quarter for a 3-1/2 length victory over that pocket sitter. Jodo Hanover would threaten but settle for the show spot.
Steve LeBlanc trains the daughter of Papi Rob Hanover for owner Glenn Dyke. It was a new lifetime mark for Aestas, whose 2026 earnings are now $98,683.
Pacing toward an uneventful three-quarters in 1:25, Love Somebody and Palone moved quickly from third on their way to a Keystone Classic victory. Head-to-head with Gold Impact at the head of the stretch, Love Somebody got a step on Fauvette Hanover before holding on to beat the pocket sitter by a neck.
Linda Toscano trains Love Somebody for owners and breeders Country Club Acres Inc. and Joe Sbrocco of Ohio. Love Somebody now boasts two wins from seven starts and a new lifetime career best of 1:52.2.
She’s A Home Run and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. cleared to the lead past the quarter and never relinquished it on their way to winning the $58,150 Keystone Classic for 2-year-old filly trotters. Leaving from post eight, the daughter of Captain Corey worked through an opening quarter of :28.1 to get to the lead. Withstanding a minor threat at the three-quarters and a two-pronged attack from Sevenoops Hanover, who finished second, and The Captains Wife, who finished third, She’s A Home Run secured her third seasonal win with a 1:56.2 victory.
Vernon Beachy trains for owners 518 Group LLC and Ryan Smith, both from Ohio.
Wednesday afternoon, Ronnie Wrenn Jr. led all drivers with four wins. Palone had three.
Keystone Classic racing returns Thursday (Sept. 19) at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Two-year-old trotters and pacers highlight the day’s 13-race card, with first-race post at 12:45 p.m.