Washington, PA – Keystone Classic action returned to Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Thursday (Sept. 17) with a pair of $24,000 divisions for 2-year-old male trotters and a single $69,000 division for 2-year-old male pacers. Also on tap were a pair of International Amateur driving events.
Green To Go and driver Brian Zendt turned in the fastest Keystone Classic division for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters with a first-over 1:55.4 victory. Moving from fifth past the half, Zendt was unable to flush cover, forcing the Greenshoe gelding to grind down leader Scarpa and get the neck victory. It was a career-best effort for Green To Go, who is owned and trained by D.R. Ackerman.
In the first division for the trotters, Sparkling Lindy and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. took command early and controlled the tempo before sprinting home in :28.2 to score a length victory over Hades Hanover. Fresh off the Pennsylvania fair circuit, the 1:56.4 time for Thursday’s mile was a lifetime mark and the third win of 2026 for owner/trainer Mahlon Martin. Sparkling Lindy is a daughter of International Moni and was a $10,000 Standardbred Horse Sale yearling purchase.
Hungry Marco and driver Brady Brown inherited a straight shot to the passing lane, and the pair cashed in to win the $69,900 Keystone Classic for 2-year-old male pacers. A Stonebridge Blitz break on the lead put Brown and the Stay Hungry filly in the pocket behind Atomix Hanover with an eighth of a mile to go. It took the length of the stretch and a :28.1 final panel to get past Atomix Hanover by a head for the win. Trained by Jamie Sullivan for owners David Hamm, Glenn Phillips, and Frank Chick, Hungry Marco now has five wins from nine starts and earnings of more than $100,000.
Jerry Kehm used his home-track knowledge to measure out a head victory in one of the International Amateur driving event with his own horse, Northern Bluff. Sent by Kehm from post 7, Northern Bluff was up by three lengths before Island Business and driver Nico Post threatened, but the Mark Goldberg trainee held on by a head for the 1:56.3 victory.
Driver Yanick Mollema and Swan Legacy were under constant pressure throughout their International Amateur event but still managed a 3-1/4-length victory. The 33-year-old Dutch driver was able to rate favorable fractions despite the challengers and secure a comfortable 1:56.3 win for trainer Todd Keith. The International Drivers will next race at Northfield Park.
Mike Wilder was the only driver with multiple wins on the card, with three victories to earn top honors. Justin Pirillo’s training double earned him training honors.
Racing and Keystone Classic action returns to The Meadows on Friday (Sept. 18), with first-race post at 12:45 p.m. (EDT).