Ronnie Wrenn Jr. notched career driving win 8,000 on Thursday, April 25 at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows when he piloted three-year-old pacer The Last Song to a 1:55.4 victory in the 11th race.
Wrenn, 37, a resident of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, splits his time between The Meadows and Ohio venues and has excelled at each end of the turnpike. In 2014, he was the sport’s dash leader with 847 wins. Last year, he compiled a stellar .406 UDR in 2,458 starts. He’s earned more than $62.8 million in purses.
Wrenn began driving in 2008 and that year captured his first purse victory in a Billings Amateur Trot at the Holland, Michigan fair. In two years of college pursuing a degree in criminal law, he couldn’t stop thinking of harness racing.
“I never thought it would come to this,” he said in 2022 on the eve of his 7,000th win. “I intended to race a few horses in amateur races and finish school. I drove for Dad and my uncles, Peter and Gary.
“But I was like most young guys in this business. As soon as it gets in your blood, that’s all you want to do. Now I get to drive for Ronnie Burke, Brian Brown, Sam Schillaci. It’s crazy how it works out.”
In 2022, Wrenn listed one of his primary goals as landing more assignments in richer, more prestigious events.
“I really want to drive more Grand Circuit horses and fewer overnights,” he said. “I’m driving for some of the connections that maybe will put me on the map a little bit.”
Faith Step Shocks In Meadows Series Final
Undeterred by her eye-popping 55-1 odds, Faith Step moved confidently first over and pulled off the shocker in Thursday’s $23,699 final of the Margaret Provost Memorial Trot for three-year-old fillies at The Meadows.
The race became up for grabs with the early breaks of Lexi B and Skyline Seashell, the top two picks on the board. When Ciao Time took the point and Whiskeyd My Way secured the pocket, they had reason to be comfortable with their positions. But Faith Step invaded that comfort zone when she attacked from fourth for Ridge Warren. The homebred daughter of Fordham Road-Fast Reaction overtook Ciao Time in deep stretch and defeated her by a half length in a career-best 1:56, with Whiskeyd My Way third.
Rick Beinhauer trains Faith Step, who finished second and fourth in the series preliminary legs, and owns with Regina Beinhauer and Tracy Childers.
Dave Palone collected three wins on the 13-race card.
Friday’s 13-race program at The Meadows features the $20,700 USD final of the Terry Altmeyer Memorial Trot for three-year-old colts and geldings. On the wagering front, the card offers an $863.23 carryover in the Lucky7 (Race 3). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)