Washington, PA — Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo.
WEDNESDAY FEATURE
The first race of the week, Wednesday’s opener at 12:45 p.m., will feature the top pacing mares in the region in the $18,000 Open Handicap. Post six was assigned to Think Of Galaxies, who returns to The Meadows after a trip to Northfield Park. The Cory Kreiser trainee has won two straight in the top local level, including a 1:52.2 triumph on Feb. 26 that pushed her career earnings over the half-million dollar mark. The morning line favorite is Celebrate Me Home, leaving from post three for trainer Ron Burke. Fresh off a win at Northfield, the 5-year-old needs just $155 to surpass the quarter-million dollar mark in her career.
CANTAB HALL GELDING WINS FIRST START
Bell Hall, a 3-year-old son of Cantab Hall out of the Wilbur Yoder barn, made his season’s debut last Wednesday, and made a statement in his first start. A former $9,000 yearling, Bell Hall made nearly $39,000 as a freshman with two wins, including a PA Stallion Series stake. After winning his qualifier on Feb. 25, he earned the win in his first pari-mutuel start of the year in a NW3 trot, scoring in 1:56.3, a lifetime best. He is moving up in class this week, entered in Thursday’s first race, a NW5 trot.
PRESTO LEADS THE PACK
Trainer Brandon Presto is off to a strong start in 2025, leading all Meadows trainers with 35 wins, and is winning at a 26.3% clip. He has a trainer rating of .381 and earnings of more than $219,000 so far. Ron Burke is second with 28 wins, followed by Dirk Simpson with 24. Brady Jenson (21) and Cory Kreiser (18) round out the top five.