by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Production, a strapping son of first-crop stallion Broadway Hall, shattered The Meadows track record for freshman trotting colts on Wednesday night (August 8), despite racing wide while on the lead. His time of 1:56.3 eclipsed the old mark of 1:58 held jointly by Uncle Vernon and Mr Pine Chip.

Production’s record mile came in the final of an early closing series, one of four EC finals for 2-year-olds offered by The Meadows on Wednesday for a total purse of $54,750. The other winners were He’s Done It All, One Tough Lass and Cathy-D.

$12,500 Fritz Beinhauer Memorial, 2-year-old trotting colts

Trainer Kelly O’Donnell purchased Production privately for Jack Tramonte and KO Racing Stables after sitting behind him for a training mile. O’Donnell proved a sharp judge of young horses, as Production has six wins and one place finish in seven starts.

Chris Gooden photo

Dave Palone piloted Production to a track record clocking of 1:56.3.

In the final, he bore out past the stands the first time, but Dave Palone was able to guide him back to the pylons without incident.

“That’s a big mile for a 2-year-old,” O’Donnell said. “He runs out in the straight-aways a little bit, but we just kind of let him drift. I don’t plan to do anything about it right now. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Taco Spur was 1-1/2 lengths back in second, with Keystone Trilogy a distant third. Production has Pennsylvania Sires Stakes engagements remaining this year but is more heavily staked at 3.

The series is named for the late Ferd “Fritz” Beinhauer III, a prominent Meadows horseman and father of current Meadows owner/trainer Rick Beinhauer.

$15,250 A. W. Capone Memorial, 2-year-old pacing fillies

Cathy-D, a daughter of The Panderosa, gave O’Donnell and Palone doubles when she swept by favorite Pembroke Swifty in the lane to score by a neck over that rival in 1:56.2. I Give Youmy Word was third.

Mark Maynard and KO Racing Stables own Cathy-D, who is ticketed for late-closing series at The Red Mile.

The series honors the late A. William Capone, who in addition to being a successful horseman and business executive, was a leader of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association and one-time chairman of the Duquesne University Board of Trustees.

$15,250 Watson Provost Memorial, 2-year-old pacing colts

He’s Done It All spotted early leader Badlands Jaden five lengths but roared through the stretch for Mike Wilder to claim a four length victory in 1:54. Badlands Jaden saved place while Players Ball finished third.

“I thought all winter he was the best 2-year-old I had, but I was afraid to brag on him,” said trainer Dan Altmeyer, whose wife Ruth Altmeyer owns and bred the son of Arturo. “He’ll race through the sires stakes, and that will be it.”

The late Watson Provost was a member of the track’s founding group. His legacy is carried on by his son William and grandson Brad, both Meadows horsemen.

$12,000 Mary Wohlmuth Memorial, 2-year-old trotting fillies

One Tough Lass used a strong uncovered move to grab the lead and went on to a 2-1/4 length victory in 1:59.3 over Tahiti Springs, with Coyote Lara in third.

“She’s well bred, and she’s supposed to be able to trot some,” said winning driver Wil Yoder. “She’d have been okay on the front, but I’m being patient with her and trying to put her in the right spot.”

Greg Wright trains the daughter of Muscles Yankee for Jon Erdner and William Neumeister.

The late Mary Wohlmuth was the longtime hostess of The Meadows’ 2:00 Club, where her husband Joe celebrated his 79th birthday Wednesday night.