Washington, PA — Three-year-old colt and gelding trotters took center stage Friday (May 9) at Hollywood Casino as two divisions of a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes known as the Hickory Smoke and four Stallion Series events headlined the program.
The Fix Is In took the first Sire Stakes division for trainer-driver Charlie Norris. Sitting a slightly gapped fifth at the half, Norris moved the gelded son of International Moni down the backside. After engaging the leader Green Mel into the turn, The Fix Is In used a :27 last quarter to gain a three-quarter-length victory over a fast-closing pocket sitter Hey Porter in 1:54.3.
“I felt if I could get him close late that he could trot home as well as anyone in this field,” said Norris.
A $5,500 yearling purchase, The Fix Is In is owned by Carrie Norris and Max Hempt.
The second division saw the combination of driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and trainer Ronnie Burke pull off a mild upset with Big Shoes. Making his season debut, Big Shoes raced covered up till near the three-quarters. Within two lengths of the leader at the top of the stretch, Big Shoes took advantage of several uncertain steps by leader Meshuggah to win by 1-1/2 lengths in a lifetime best 1:52.4.
“He’s a fast horse; the speed has always been there,” said Burke. “Keeping him focused is Wrenn’s job and he does it well.”
Burke Racing Stable shares ownership with Weaver Bruscemi and breeder Knox Services.
In the first Stallion Series split, Andy Miller put Gimlet Hanover on the lead through soft fractions and kicked home in :28.4 to win in 1:56.4. D.R. Ackerman owns and trains the 3-year-old Bar Hopping gelding, who now has four wins in 12 lifetime starts.
Brian Zendt put Aperol Hanover on the lead for the second week in a row and equaled his lifetime best of 1:56.1. The Bar Hopping gelding is owned by trainer Bill Zendt in partnership with Barbara McAllister and Gary Saul.
In the third division, Messenger Hanover and Wrenn patiently worked their way to the lead and once there trotted on to a 1:56.2 effort. Burke Racing Stable, Beasty LLC, James Simpson, and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby share ownership of the Bar Hopping son, whom Burke trains.
The final Stallion Series division proved to be the fastest and the closest of the four divisions. Aggressively sent from post four, Mike WIider and Honolulu Hanover were able to get enough distance between themselves and Lefties Righties to hold a head advantage at the wire in 1:55.4. It was the first win of the year and a lifetime best for the son of Bar Hopping owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, William Switala and James Martin.
For the day, Wrenn and Burke won three races apiece. Also, today late sire Bar Hopping swept all four Stallion Series divisions.
Racing at The Meadows returns Saturday (May 10) with a 12-race card starting at 12:45 p.m.