A sunny afternoon was the scene at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Saturday, Aug. 30 as sophomore pacers were highlighted with two quality $81,208 divisions of the Tarport Effrat Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and three Stallion Series contests.

North America Cup winner Louprint made his first pari-mutuel start since winning the Canadian million-dollar classic in mid-June and his return did not disappoint.  

While Odds On Outlier (Peter Wrenn) took control quickly from post five with a :27.2 opener, Ronnie Wrenn Jr. opted to drop in fourth with 2/5 favourite Louprint.  As the pace slowed approaching the three-eighths, Louprint got his cue and engaged the leader. Clearing through a :56.1 half, Louprint had the pedal down for the back half of his mile, pacing home in :53.2 — twin :26.3 final quarters —  tripping the three quarter marker in 1:22.4 and hitting the wire a length the best in 1:49.3. Odds On Outlier stayed for second with Railroad Station (Chris Page) in the show spot.

Trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Phil Collura and Larry Karr, Louprint (Sweet Lou - Rockin Racer) stays perfect on the season with six wins in as many appearances. He's now a 13-time winner with more than $1.66 million earned.

Adios winner Prince Hal Hanover and Todd McCarthy made a triumphant return to The Meadows with a wire-to-wire 1:50.2 effort in their PaSS division.  From post two, Prince Hal Hanover hammered out splits of :27.2, :55.4 and 1:23.4, then followed that tempo with a :26.3 sprint to the wire. Prince Hal Hanover was three parts of a length better than Twisted Destiny (Dave Palone) with Papis Rocket (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) in for the show dough.

Trained by Dr. Ian Moore,  Prince Hal Hanover is owned in Ontario by the Prince Hal Hanover Stable. The victory by the son of Captaintreacherous - Percy Bluechip marks his fifth of the year and seventh lifetime, lifting his earnings over the $1.2 million mark.

Expect both of these winners to rekindle their rivalry in the PaSS Championships at The Meadows one week from today (Sept. 6)

Trainer Brett Pelling took home two Stallion Series trophies as Beach Club Monty (1:51.2 for driver Todd McCarthy; $7.20) and Sugar Man (1:50.2 with Jack Pelling; $8.40) each found their way to the winner's circle. Chris Ryder trainee World Of Wishes (1:50.4 for driver Aaron Merriman; $30.20) provided the upset in the other division.

Live harness racing resumes at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows on Wednesday, September 3 with the first race post 12:45.

(Standardbred Canada; with files from MSOA)