The Meadows: Kate's Massive wraps up freshman season in style

PA Stallion Series champ Kate’s Massive rolled through the slop to his fifth straight victory in Monday’s $92,499 Keystone Classic at The Meadows. The stake for freshman colt and gelding trotters was contested over three divisions, with Prospect Hill and Ginger Tree Skyr taking the other splits.

Kate’s Massive hasn’t lost since a fourth-place finish in a July 16 stallion series leg, and he showed that his form remains strong despite Monday’s trying conditions. He vaulted to the front for trainer/driver Ray Paver and held off the pocket-sitting Ravel by a length in 1:58 2/5, with the first-over Innisfallen third.

“He’s pretty lazy on the front,” said Paver of Harry and Iris Horowitz’s homebred son of Muscle Massive-Sister Kate. “I kept yelling at him, but he didn’t really seem to care.

Paver indicated Kate’s Massive will carry his winning streak over to next year as he has no more races scheduled this season.

“If he’s good enough, there’s plenty of money next year,” Paver said.

Prospect Hill swept all four preliminary PA Sires Stakes legs and, as part of an entry, was the even-money favorite in the $253,000 final. But he made a rare break and had to settle for fifth. He made amends Monday when he notched a facile front-end victory for Andy Miller in a stake-fastest 1:57. Andovers Asset was 5 1/2 lengths back in second while Crossfit completed the ticket.

“He just kind of lost his focus a little bit in the final, but he was fine afterwards,” Miller said. “It was an uncharacteristic thing last week. He picked a bad time to do it. The track’s pretty tiring today, and he was a little tired. I just kept him to his task.”

He indicated Prospect Hill would be pointed to the Standardbred at the Delaware County Fair or the Grand Circuit meeting at The Red Mile. Julie Miller conditions the son of Muscle Hill-Louise Kemp, who lifted his career bankroll to $158,233, for Stroy Inc.

Ginger Tree Skyr left alertly to stalk Klutzy from the pocket, then blew by in the lane for Tim Tetrick to defeat Klutzy by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:58. Nextroundsonme earned show.

“He trotted well on the off track, and he got by a decent horse in the lane,” Tetrick said. “He trots, he’s willing — those are always good things. Hopefully he gets a little stronger and a little more speed.”

Sam Beegle, who trains the son of Explosive Matter-Up Front Annika for Ginger Tree Ventures and Donald Marean, said the colt is eligible for the Simpson, the Liberty Bell and the Breeders Crown.

$92,700 Keystone Classic — 2-Year-Old Filly Pacers

Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and trainer Ron Burke teamed for three wins on the 13-race card, including a sweep of this stake with She’s Allright and Sweet Chrome, the latter scoring at a juicy 22-1.

She’s Allright raced well in sires states but was bothered by intermittent breaks. She put it all together in the Keystone Classic, overpowering Rockn Philly with a first-over move and defeating her by 2 3/4 lengths in a sharp 1:52 4/5, with Pretty N Fast third.

“Last week she was so full of pace she ran over top of them (and broke),” Burke said. “I knew she’d be good today. She’ll be a real good filly by next year, a top filly. She’s eligible to everything this year except the She’s A Great Lady.”

Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Michelle Yanek and Phil Collura campaign the daughter of Sweet Lou-Atsallrite Hanover, who soared over $100,000 in career earnings.

Sweet Chrome trailed by three lengths at the top of the stretch but found another gear, roaring by Darn Tootn Hanover to down her by a head in 1:55 1/5. Pace Baby Pace, also trained by Burke, finished third.

“She got home really well,” Wrenn said. “Ron said to just trip her out, and she paced home a thousand.”

Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, M1 Stable and Jack Piatt III own the daughter of Sweet Lou-Camille.

--press release (The Meadows)--