Washington, PA — Hollywood Casino at The Meadows hosted the 2026 PA Stallion Series Finals Saturday (Sept. 5), crowning eight freshman and sophomore champions.
Celtic Wave completed a perfect four-for-four Stallion Series season with a career-best 1:50.4 in the $40,000 2-year-old colt and gelding final. Settling on the lead steps before the half, the gelded son of Captaintreacherous proved his division dominance with a three-length victory for driver Corey Callahan. Celtic Wave is owned by Kiefer Elite Bloodstock, Theresa Donnelly and John Berger, who also trains.
Odds On Wonderful and Mike Wilder sprung a 16-1 upset in the $40,000 2-year-old filly pace final. First over past the half, the daughter of Stay Hungry powered to a three-length, 1:51.3 victory for owner Odds On Racing. It was the second Stallion Series win for Odds On Wonderful and trainer Virgil Morgan Jr.
Lions Tale sat buried in third entering the final turn, but Ronnie Wrenn Jr. found room along the inside to capture the $40,000 2-year-old colt trotting crown by a head. The 1:55.3 clocking established a lifetime best for the gelded son of Bar Hopping, who is trained by Marcus Melander. It was the second Stallion Series victory for Lions Tale and owners Brixton Medical Inc. and Hatfield Stables.
Sevenoops Hanover and Matt Kakaley went from worst to first to capture the $40,000 2-year-old filly trotting crown. Trained by Peter Engblom for owner Engblom Farm LLC, Evan Nation and Hickory Hollow Stables, the daughter of Greenshoe was near-perfect in Stallion Series action, winning three of four starts. Sevenoops Hanover was a $3,000 Harrisburg purchase.
Sandyboots Yankee and Wrenn went coast to coast in 1:49.4 to grab the $40,000 3-year-old filly pace crown. The daughter of Always B Miki picked up the victory for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Lawrence Karr and Phillip Collura. It was a career best effort for Sandyboots Yankee, who had two 2026 Stallion Series victories prior to Saturday’s final.
Winnercircleseeker was just that in the $40,000 3-year-old colt division, winning the Stallion Series final by nine lengths. First over down the backside for Ronnie Wrenn Jr., the gelded son of Sweet Lou rolled to a 1:48.3 victory, giving Ron Burke his second Stallion Series final of the afternoon. The performance was a career best for Winnercircleseeker, who is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Karr, Collura and Bradley Grant.
Just Teasing turned a perfect Andy Miller drive into a 3-year-old filly Stallion Series crown. The daughter of Captain Corey sat comfortably in the two hole until the head of the stretch, before a :28.2 final panel carried her to victory and her first 2026 Stallion Series win. Julie Miller trains Just Teasing for Andy Miller Stable Inc., Jean Goehlen and Windsong Stable.
Emmett Hanover and Aaron Merriman cleared to the lead at the three-quarter pole but had to fight to the wire to hold onto the 3-year-old colt Stallion Series crown. Second in two previous Stallion Series events, the son of Greenshoe turned in a career-best 1:53.3 effort to win by a nose for owner Nick Shaw. The Meadows regular Justin Pirillo trains Emmett Hanover, who now has seven wins and more than $75,000 on his card this season.
Saturday afternoon, Wrenn steered six winners to earn top driving honors, while the Burke Brigade’s five wins gave them top training honors.
Racing will resume Wednesday, Sept. 9, with a 13-race card. First-race post is scheduled for 12:45 p.m.