by Jeff Zidek, for the MSOA

Washington, PA — Sixteen 2-year-olds will face the starter on Friday morning (May 24) at The Meadows, making their first official appearances behind a starting gate.

The first qualifying race of the day features eight pacers, four of which are from the Jason Shaw Stable. Among sires, Four Starzzz Shark and Dragon Again lead the way with two entrants each.

Seven trotters will take to the track in the second qualifier, with the Shaw Stable again sending four to the gate. All seven horses are sired by different, mostly Pennsylvania-based, studs.

Another Shaw Stable pacer will face older horses in the third qualifier, due to a limit of eight starters in freshman qualifying races.

Qualifiers begin at 11 a.m. Friday, and video will be posted later in the day on the MSOA’s website, www.themsoa.com.