Washington, PA — Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo.
REGULAR SCHEDULE THIS WEEK, NIGHT RACING COMING SOON
The Meadows returns to its regular Spring schedule this week, with action Wednesday through Saturday at 12:45 p.m. Next weekend, the Saturday (May 17) Preakness Day card will begin at 11:30 a.m., and on May 23, Friday action will go “under the lights” for the summer, with a 5:10 p.m. post.
FLYING IN THE NW1 LEVEL
While records regarding individual classes aren’t kept, the mile by trotter Bacchus was certainly a special one this past Thursday (May 1). The sophomore gelding trotter covered the mile in 1:54.2 in a non-winners of 1 race lifetime event. By comparison, another division of that class on Thursday went in 1:58.3 and other recent times in that level have been closer to the 2:00 range. Bacchus was making his second start of the year for trainer Vernon Beachy, and the 11th of the Tactical Landing gelding’s career. It was his first victory and only the second time the horse had hit the board in his career. Ronnie Wrenn drove the winner.
PIRILLO OVER .500
Trainer Justin Pirillo is off to the best start of his career at The Meadows. He is tied for fourth in wins with 30, but is well in front in other categories. Pirillo has started just 86 horses this year, for a 34.9 winning percentage. His UTRS trainer rating is .501, a full 70 points ahead of second-highest Ron Burke (.431). Burke’s horses are winning at a 26.5% clip, second highest to the Pirillo barn.
FRIDAY STAKES
Stake racing action returns to The Meadows on Friday afternoon, (May 9) as sophomore colt and gelding trotters will be featured in PA Sire Stake and PA Stallion Series stakes. The entry box will close on Tuesday morning (May 6).
If you would like additional information at any point, please reach out to track announcer Jeff Zidek (jeff.zidek@pennentertainment.com).