Washington, PA — Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo.
$1.2 MILLION ON THE LINE THURSDAY
Two-year-old Pennsylvania-breds will take center stage on Thursday afternoon at The Meadows, with more than $1.2 million in purses up for grabs in the PA Sire Stake championships and consolations. Four $252,000 finals will take place, along with four $50,000 consolations. Horses earned points in four Sire Stake legs contested across the Commonwealth during the summer, and the top eight in points were invited to compete in the finals. Thursday’s first four races will be the PA Sire Stake consolation events for those just missing the top events. Post time for the card is 12:45 p.m.
REMATCH SET IN PASS 2FP
Race 5 on the card will be for freshman filly pacers. The championship field will feature the rematch between Papi Grad (5-for-6, $154k in earnings) and Rose (4-for-5, $119k), along with Blessed Hanover (5-for-6, $123k). Papi Grad, out of the Steve Carter barn, has drawn post one, while the other two, both trained by Ron Burke, drew posts two (Blessed Hanover) and six (Rose). Rose defeated Papi Grad at The Meadows on Aug. 23, the first career loss for Papi Grad, who had post seven that evening.
TOP FILLY TROTTERS DRAW SIDE-BY-SIDE
Race six on the Thursday card will be the championship for freshman filly trotters. Two horses have dominated the ranks this summer, Divine Thing, trained by Steve Carter, and Princess Jackie, out of the DR Ackerman barn. They have drawn posts one and two, respectively, for the finals. The duo has combined for seven wins in 12 starts and more than $277,000 in earnings.
WINNERS MEET IN COLT FINAL
Race eight on the Thursday card features the top freshman colt trotters. The division has seen a lot of parity this summer, with six of the eight finalists showing a win in top-level PASS company. The top money-winner is Father TJ, out of the Jeff Cullipher Stable, now a winner of two straight. The Father Patrick colt has drawn post one.
BURKE STABLE SENDS THREE INTO COLT PACING FINAL
Race nine on Thursday is the PASS final for freshman colt pacers, and the Ron Burke Stable has three of the eight entrants, TH Colby, Papi’s Rocket and Railroad Station. TH Colby has the fastest win time in the group, a 1:50.1 clocking at The Meadows on Aug. 16, and drew post two. The top money-winner in the race is the Ian Moore-trainee Prince Hal Hanover ($104k), leaving from post seven.