by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA— With their schedule so busy, trainer John Butenschoen and his wife, Jackie,weren’t planning anything special for Wednesday (Aug. 10), their 30thwedding anniversary. But they got something special anyway — Pennsylvania SiresStake victories at The Meadows from John Butenschoen trainees Dover Dan andGiveitgasandgo. Corey Callahan piloted both colts. The $184,096 stake forfreshman colt and gelding trotters, known as the Florida Pro, was contestedover four divisions, with Muscles Jared and You Can’t Habit taking the othersplits.

Theiranniversary was something of a homecoming for Jackie Butenschoen, who grew upin Washington County. Her father, the late Jack Kiger, was a blacksmith at TheMeadows when the track opened in 1963. John composed an anniversary message toJackie and posted it on Facebook, then gave her yet another present.

“I put her towork,” he joked.

Chris Gooden photo

A decisive move gave Dover Dan his second PASS win in 1:57 Wednesday at The Meadows.

As is hiscustom, driver Corey Callahan kept Dover Dan (Andover Hall-CR Kay Suzie) near the rear beforelaunching a decisive first-over move that carried him to his second PASS win inas many tries for owners William Wiswell, Jean Goehlen and Eugene Schick. Hescored in 1:57, 1-3/4 lengths better than early leader Muay Hanover, with PhiAlpha third. The win increased his career earnings to $40,486. Butenschoen saidthat rallying style suits Dover Dan for now.

“He’s beenwanting to get a little anxious and keyed up,” he said. “Today, we just wantedto make sure he got off the gate trotting. He has the ability; it’s just amatter of keeping him focused. As long as he races like he’s racing, I don’tsee any need (to send him).”

Muscles Jared quarter-poledto the front for John Campbell and had little problem from there, prevailing ina stake-fastest 1:56.1. Box Of Luck was second, 2-3/4 lengths back, while AndyM completed the ticket. Since trainer George Ducharme added hopples for AlfredRoss’ gelded son of Muscle Massive-Tetiana, the colt has two wins in as manyoutings.

“That reallyhelps a lot of young trotters,” Campbell said. “It steadies them when they needit the most. They have more confidence with their gait. He felt good. I wasimpressed with him the night he raced at the Meadowlands, and he came back asgood or better. In the last turn, he looked around and thought it was all over.I got his attention back, and he picked it up in the lane.”

You Can’t Habitalso converted an uncovered move to victory, triumphing in 1:57 for BrettMiller, trainer John McDermott and owner 4 Leaf Racing. Moonshiner Hanover wassecond, 2-1/4 lengths in arrears, while Affair Of Honor — another from theButenschoen stable — earned show.

“He’s such anice horse — he really loves his work,” McDermott said of the son of CantabHall-Habit Of Creature, a $55,000 yearling acquisition. “As long as he’s notgoing too fast, he can get it done. He’s staked very lightly. We want to makehim into a nice 3-year-old and aged horse.”

Chris Gooden photo

Corey Callahan and Giveitgasandgo took the final division in 1:57.

In the final division Giveitgasandgo (Yankee Glide-Mazda Hanover) was victorious in 1:57 for driver Corey Callahan. Giveitgasandgo is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable Inc, FL, David Miller, SC, Lawrence Means, PA and Vip Internet Stable LLC,. NJ.

In the $20,000Preferred Handicap Trot, I Know My Chip extended his winning streak to fourwhen he zipped by his stablemate, Tall Cotton, to down him by a half-length in1:54.3. Classicality was third. Callahan drove the 4-year-old DeepChip-Madeline’s Crown gelding, who now boasts $447,793 in career earnings, fortrainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC andPhillip Collura.

Live racing atThe Meadows resumes Saturday when the action-packed card features the $147,500 MoniMaker for 3-year-old filly trotters and two events for 3-year-old colt andgelding pacers: a $160,760 PASS and an $80,000 PA Stallion Series stake. Firstpost is 1 p.m.