The Meadows: I Know My Rights swiftest in Keystone Classic for rookie colt trotters

I Know My Rights grabbed the lead at the top of the lane, then squandered most of it by running in late. Though his antics turned the finish into an adventure, I Know My Rights scored in 1:56, which was the fastest mile in Monday’s $104,700 Keystone Classic at The Meadows.

The event for freshman colt and gelding trotters was contested over four divisions, with Toast Of Lindy, Rentier and Moosonee taking the other splits.

A solid third in the Pennsylvania Stallion Series championship, I Know My Rights moved from third at the three-quarters for Tyler Buter and passed the leader, Max’s Beast, out of the final turn. In deep stretch, however, the Muscle Massive-Celebrity Sweedie gelding veered inward, allowing Quality Kemp to gain in the Lightning Lane. I Know My Rights downed him by a nose, with Johny Victory third.

“He was kicking into sixth gear and running in a little bit, and I didn’t want to check him,” said Buter, who owns the colt with Lynette Buter and Gene Oldford Farms. “It was enough today. He has a long body and a big gait. Hopefully he grows a little more and gets a little faster.”

Todd Buter trains I Know My Rights.

Toast Of Lindy was coupled with Mississippi Storm, a powerful entry hammered down to 2-5. And they performed like heavy favorites, as Toast Of Lindy overtook Mississippi Storm to triumph by half a length in 1:56 1/5, to vault over $100,000 in career earnings and to give trainer Julie Miller an exacta sweep. Rich And Miserable completed the ticket.

“He’s a nice horse,” said winning driver Andy Miller. “If he does a little growing, he’ll be an okay 3-year-old, too.”

Andy Miller Stable, Lindy Racing Stable and GTY Stable own the son of Cantab Hall-Bellini Lindy, who finished third in the PA Sires Stake championship and will be pointed to a number of rich late-season stakes.

Rentier blew by the favorite, Im Your Captain, so easily that the brush surprised even winning driver Mike Wilder.

“I never drove him before, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Wilder said. “I hated to pull the pocket that early, but my horse felt really good. I’m glad I did pull him because he was just loaded with trot.”

Rentier prevailed in 1:57 3/5, 1 1/4 lengths better than the rallying Garnet, while Im Your Captain saved show. Austin Brubacker trains and owns the son of Explosive Matter-Race Judicata.

--press release (The Meadows)--