Washington, PA – Two divisions of the Hickory Pride Stakes, each carrying purses in excess of $55,000, along with four Stallion Series divisions for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, brightened an overcast Saturday (July 11) afternoon at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
With a purse of $55,845, the first Hickory Pride division produced both the fastest division and the day’s biggest upset. Starting from post two at odds of 23-1, Captang and Brian Zendt used their early speed to secure the pocket behind the favored Celebrity Hunter. Through fractions of :27.4, :57.0, and 1:26.0, Zendt patiently stalked the leader before angling Captang to the outside at the top of the stretch. The son of Captain Corey trotted home in :28.2 to score a two-length victory in 1:54.3. A $70,000 Harrisburg purchase, Captang is owned by Purple Haze Stables LLC and trained by George Ducharme.
The $56,245 second Hickory Pride division saw Dream Shaq and Dexter Dunn settle briefly in fourth before making a quarter-pole move to take command by the half in :57.4. After a :29.0 third quarter, Dream Shaq sprinted home in :28.2 to hold off the game Jimdougie Armitrage and stop the timer in 1:55.1. Trained by Marcus Melander for Brixton Medical Inc. and Hatfield Stables, the son of Father Patrick was an $85,000 Lexington Selected Sale purchase.
Sa’s Tiki Bar and Shawn Johnston pulled off a 13-1 upset in the fastest Stallion Series division. Johnston sent the gelded son of Bar Hopping first-over at the five-eighths pole, and the pair powered home to a 1:57.3 victory. Sa’s Tiki Bar is trained by Gary Johnston, who co-owns the gelding with Derren Zielinski.
A $170,000 Lexington purchase, Hook N Reel and Yannick Gingras enjoyed a pocket trip before using a :28.1 final quarter to prevail by a neck in their Stallion Series division. The son of Captain Corey is owned by Brochart Stables, SRF Stable, and Ake Svanstedt Stable, with Svanstedt serving as trainer.
Heir Tothe Naughty received a perfect second-over trip from Justin Irvine to capture his Stallion Series division. Trained by Justin Lloyd for owner-breeder Denise Dennis, the son of Captain Corey tipped three-wide at the head of the lane and trotted home in :28.3 to earn a neck victory.
Brian Zendt and Keystone Augusta controlled the tempo from start to finish in the final Stallion Series division. Leaving from post four, Zendt guided the gelded son of Captain Corey through fractions of 1:00.0 and 1:29.4 before cruising to a 1:59.0 victory. Trained by William Dougherty Jr. for owner Susan Dougherty, Keystone Augusta was purchased for $17,000 at the Harrisburg Sale last fall.
Justin Irvine led all drivers with three victories on the afternoon, while Tim Twaddle and Brandon Presto each recorded two training wins. Captain Corey sired four winners on the day’s card.
Live racing resumes at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Wednesday (July 15), with a 13-race program beginning at 12:45 p.m.