Washington, PA — Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo.
REGULAR RACING SCHEDULE THIS WEEK, + GUARANTEES
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows is racing Wednesday through Friday this week, post time 12:45 p.m. We are pleased to announce that, in cooperation with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, The Meadows will offer a $5,000 guarantee on the Late Pick-4 pool every day through the end of January. The guaranteed pool offer has been extended thanks to a strong response from our bettors.
MERRIMAN OFF TO FAST START
Aaron Merriman, last year’s North American dash-winning champion, is off to a quick start at The Meadows in 2025. Through the first six cards of the year, he leads all local drivers with 20 wins in 73 starts, and boasts a Universal Driver Rating of .411. Only Ronnie Wrenn Jr. (.416) has a higher UDR rating. Merriman is also tops in purses, at over $144,000.
SIMPSON STABLE LEADS THE WAY
Dirk Simpson, fresh off another 100-plus win season at The Meadows, has the early lead among local conditioners with seven wins in 32 starts. Brandon Presto (6), Sarah Andrews (5) and Ron Burke (5) round out the top three. The Burke Stable is No. 1 in purse earnings so far, with more than $74,000.
BEHIND THE 8-BALL?
The early season results show post No. 5, which has for many years been the leading post at The Meadows as far as winning percentage, once again is the best place to be. More than 20% of the horses that have started from post five have gone to the winner’s circle. The unusual stat so far is that post eight has seen seven horses earn wins from 49 starts, a 14.3 winning percentage. That makes it the third best place to start in 2025, with post three in second at just over 15%.