Frank Leahy outkicked track record-holder Cheers Hanover in the lane to triumph in Wednesday’s (Oct. 2) Keystone Classic at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Arrowhead Hanover captured the other division of the $105,270 stake for freshman colt and gelding trotters.
On Aug. 2, Cheers Hanover trotted in 1:54 for Hunter Myers, fastest mile ever by a freshman colt trotter. Ironically, in the Keystone Classic, it was Myers trying to pilot Frank Leahy around Myers’ erstwhile partner. Frank Leahy sat an unused third before taking up the attack entering the final turn, so Myers knew the son of Southwind Frank-Regal Woman was fresh.
“Once I saw that the quarter and half were a little soft, I thought it might be tough to catch him. But I got to sit as long as I wanted to. I got to take care of my horse before I had to use him,” Myers said of Frank Leahy, who entered Wednesday’s contest with a single victory on his card — that in an overnight.
Frank Leahy defeated Cheers Hanover by a half length in 1:55.4, with Dignified Wheat third. Ron Burke trains Frank Leahy for Ben Mondello and Fac Racing LLC
In the other division, Arrowhead Hanover won under wraps in 1:55.2 for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., trainer Tim Twaddle and owner TheStable Arrowheadhanover Group. With the victory, the International Moni-Aarena Hanover gelding soared to $138,600 in career earnings.
Messenger Hanover was second, beaten a length, with The Fix Is In third.
$85,608 Keystone Classic —Two-Year-Old Filly Trotters
Princess Jackie and Seal The Deal AS figured to be best in their split of Wednesday’s co-feature. Jim Marohn, Jr. aboard Princess Jackie knew it, so he gave the cold shoulder to Wrenn and Seal The Deal AS when they tried to wrest away the lead at the quarter.
“I wanted to put her on the lead,” Marohn said. “It’s been awhile since she’s been there, and she likes racing there. I was in a good spot to do it. When I called on her in the last turn, she scooted right off as if it were her first start of the year.”
That decision proved wise as Princess Jackie jogged away from her rival late and downed her by two lengths in 1:56.2. Can It Be Magic completed the ticket. The daughter of Greenshoe-Frisky Magic boosted her lifetime bankroll to $180,014 for owner/trainer D.R. Ackerman, who named the filly for his granddaughter. Ackerman indicated Princess Jackie would be pointed to the Breeders Crown.
Blueberry continued her fine season in the other division with a front-end score in 1:56.1, matching her career-best and giving her earnings of $130,793. Payback Moni was 3-3/4 lengths back in second, with Tally The Tab third.
“She was a perfect-gaited horse from day one, an absolute sweetheart,” said Doug Snyder, who trains the homebred daughter of Father Patrick-Perfect Image for Geraldine Poerio. “She’s from a good female family, so she has a right to be a good horse.”
He said Blueberry will race once more this year, in the Liberty Bell, but has a more extensive stakes schedule next season.
Wrenn enjoyed a three-bagger on the 13-race program.
Thursday’s card at The Meadows features an $82,700 USD Keystone Classic for freshman filly pacers. On the wagering front, the program offers a $1,256.91 carryover in the Pick 5 (race nine). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)