Munster Mash Trick dug in late to earn a Pop-Up Series win in Friday, July 5 action at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Also winning $13,699 second-leg divisions in the event for freshman colt and gelding trotters were LT Loverboy (1:58.3), Battle Hill (1:58.3) and Twofiftychamp, who broke his maiden in a stakes fastest 1:57.
Coming off a winning career debut at Butler Fair, Munster Mash Trick pulled the pocket down the backside but could not shake the dogged Rose Run ATM, who was used three times during the mile. But the Father Patrick-Munster gelding dug in for Brady Brown and held off his game rival by a neck in 1:59.1. Bell Hall finished third.
Steve Schoeffel trains Munster Mash Trick (pictured above) for Kathy Schoeffel, Stephen Lander, Fred Dowling and Maximus Melik.
Friday’s card also featured the second leg of a Pop-Up Series for freshman filly trotters, with Blueberry, Brink Street and Mocha Hill taking the $13,699 splits. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and trainer Ron Burke enjoyed a Pop-Up double with Brink Street (1:58.4) and Mocha Hill (1:58).
Blueberry “prepped” for Friday’s race, so to speak, with a respectable third-place finish in a $108,766 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes division. The effect of the class drop was evident, as Blueberry thwarted the late bid of Tacky Sugar and defeated her for Brian Zendt by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.1. Dianne Hanover completed the ticket.
Doug Snyder trains Blueberry, a daughter of Father Patrick-Perfect Image, for Geraldine Poerio.
Dave Palone collected three wins on the 13-race card.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues on Saturday when the program features a $399.77 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race four). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)