Washington, PA — Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo.

RACING SCHEDULE 
We are now in our winter three-day-per-week racing schedule, Wednesday through Friday afternoons at 12:45 p.m. This schedule will remain in place through the end of March.

LARGER FIELDS
The Meadows has seen an increase in entries in recent weeks. Our Thursday/Friday race cards averaged 8.77 starters per race last week for 26 races.

MORE CARRYOVERS
In the first week of racing under a new wagering format, the Pick-4 and Superfecta each had one carryover which resulted in significantly larger pools for the next race. The Pentafecta, which was offered nine times over the first three days of the meet, resulted in carryovers in four of the nine races. The final Pentafecta on Friday resulted in a markedly larger pool with multiple winners cashing for more than $2,600 on a 50-cent ticket.

FAST STARTS
Perennial leading driver Dave Palone is off to a fast start in 2023, leading The Meadows driving colony with 10 wins during the first week. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. did not record a win on the opening day card on Wednesday, but tallied seven wins between Thursday and Friday. Jeremy Indof drove six winners during the week. Trainers Ron Burke and Dirk Simpson each sent out six winners during the first week of action.

THAT’S “H” FOR HOLLYWOOD
If you’re having trouble finding our race results online, be sure to look under “H.” We are now listed as Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on most sites, rather than just “The Meadows.”

SERIES RACES ON THE HORIZON
It may only be January, but The Meadows is starting to look ahead to stakes season. The precursor to stakes racing is traditionally a group of eight series events. Look for more information in the next week regarding entries for the first block of four early closers, for 3- and 4-year-old trotters and pacers. Nominations will close on Feb. 15, and we are only 60 days away from the first leg of each series.