The Meadows: Favorites defeated in PA Sire Stakes for 3YO male trotters

The Fix Is In, 13-1 shot, and Big Shoes, sent off at 7-1, took their respective Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Friday afternoon at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

In the $52,532 first split, Green Mel (Andy Miller) went right to the front from post five and cut fractions of 28, 57 4/5 and 1:27 while The Fix Is In, driven by trainer Charlie Norris, was left to do the first-over work out of the fifth spot before three-quarters.

Despite not finding any cover, The Fix Is In advanced into second on the final bend, sustained his bid into the lane where he went by Green Mel, and then kept favored Hey Porter, who went into the passing lane from the pocket, at bay to the wire, prevailing by three-quarters of a length in 1:54 3/5. Bombay Tom (Mike Wilder) got up for third.

An International Moni gelding bred by Midland Acres Inc., The Fix Is In is trained by Norris for co-owners Carrie Norris and Max J. Hempt. This was his fourth win from 13 career starts, he has now earned $83,690 and he paid $28.40 to win.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Hatfield (Aaron Merriman) and Bell Hall (Wilbur Yoder) were side-by-side for the top spot at the 27 4/5 quarter in the other $52,932 tilt, with 3-5 favorite Meshuggah (Palone) behind Bell Hall. After Bell Hall went by Hatfield, Meshuggah pressed on to take control prior to the 56 1/5 half. From there, Meshuggah continued on the point to three-quarters in 1:24 1/5 as Big Shoes (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) commenced a first-up bid out of the fourth position.

Meshuggah got separation on the rest of the field on the last turn and was clear turning for home, but he put in some rough steps a couple of times in the stretch, and Big Shoes was able to take advantage, surging by on his way to a 1 1/2 length victory in 1:52 4/5. Meshuggah, last year's sire stakes champion for the group, had to settle for second and Arrowhead Hanover (Anthony MacDonald) checked in third.

Big Shoes, a Greenshoe colt trained by Ron Burke, was bred by Knox Services Inc. and is co-owned by them in partnership with Burke Racing Stable LLC. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. He has a summary of 5-1-3 from 12 appearances, has pocketed $175,090 and returned $17.00 to win.

Breeder Hanover Shoe Farms and sire Bar Hopping swept the $20,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series flights on the undercard with Gimlet Hanover (1:56 4/5, Andy Miller drove for trainer D.R. Ackerman), Aperol Hanover (1:56 1/5, Brian Zendt in the bike for trainer Bill Zendt), Messenger Hanover (1:56 2/5, Wrenn Jr. at the controls for Burke) and Honolulu Hanover (1:55 4/5, Mike Wilder steered for Burke).