Washington, PA – The final leg of 2026 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action rolled into Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Friday (Aug. 28) with 3-year-old male and female pacers.
Grade 1 Adios winner Al Papi returned with a wrapped-up 1:50.3 effort in his $54,601 “Tarport Effrat” PASS division. Papi Rick was hustled to the lead by Justin Irvine through an opening quarter of :26.3. That lead was short-lived as Ronnie Wrenn Jr. moved Al Papi toward the front, taking control before the half in :55.2. A :28.4 backside made the final quarter a formality as Al Papi sprinted home in :26.2 to keep Papi Rick 1-1/4 lengths back in second. Easy Breeze was third.
A son of Papi Rob Hanover, Al Papi heads into next week’s Sire Stakes final with three wins and earnings of more than $600,000 this year for owners Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Lawrence Karr and Weaver Bruscemi. He is trained by Ron Burke.
Toast Of The Town and driver Dave Palone set a “Tarport Effrat” stakes record in their $54,601 division. Controlling the race from the start through a half of :55, Palone turned the Noel Daley trainee loose down the backside to the tune of :26.3, creating separation from first-over challenger Melillo. Toast Of The Town finished his career-best 1:48.1 effort with a :26.3 final quarter. Pocket-sitter Superchamp Hanover held the place spot and Melillo was third.
A son of Sweet Lou, Toast Of The Town, is owned by Let It Ride Stables, Morrison Racing Stables, Jesmeral Stable and Alberg Racing.
The featured filly event on the card was the $103,553 “Romola Hanover” Sire Stakes, won by Sangria Summer and Matt Kakaley.
Positioned third from post 8, Kakaley moved Sangria Summer just past an opening half of :54.4 and engaged leader Hope Hill through a :27.2 backside. Gaining the lead at the top of the stretch, the Luc Blais trainee held off the fast-closing longshot Say Goodnight for a neck victory in 1:50.2. I’m A Lou Lou finished third.
Sangria Summer, a daughter of Captaintreacherous, is now six for 12 this season with earnings of more than $325,000 for owner Determination.
In 3-year-old colt Stallion Series action, Good Friday and Kakaley controlled the race and held off challengers to the left and right to score a 1:50.3 victory in their $20,000 division. Tom Shay trains the son of Tall Dark Stranger for owners Howard Taylor and Teena Freibert. It was a career-best effort for Good Friday.
Ghetto Loupastar and Wrenn pulled a mild 9-1 upset in the second Stallion Series division for the boys. A long first-over move from fifth resulted in the third win of the season for the son of Sweet Lou, this time in 1:51.4. Ghetto Loupastar is trained by Burke for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, and Phillip Collura.
Sandyboots Yankee and Wrenn turned in the fastest filly Stallion Series victory with a 1:50 effort. Wrenn used a backside rush with the Always B Miki filly to take control and hold off Ok My Way. Trained by Burke, Sandyboots Yankee is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Lawrence Karr, and Phillip Collura.
Make It Right made it six wins in 14 starts this season with her Stallion Series victory. Moved first-over past the five-eighths, Tim Tetrick guided the daughter of Papi Rob Hanover through a :27.1 final quarter as Kilauea Hanover closed for second. Gary McCandless, Jo Ann Looney-King and Larry Rathbone own Make It Right, while Jim King Jr. trains. Her 1:50.4 effort was a career best.
Friday’s top driving honors went to Ronnie Wrenn Jr. with five wins, while the Burke Brigade sent out five winners to earn top stable honors.
Racing resumes Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows with a 12-race card. First-race post is 12:45 p.m. (EDT).