Washington, PA --- Racing as Lone Wolf Stable, Brian Gillespie has done well at The Meadows, even sending a starter to last week’s Adios eliminations. But there was one weapon missing from his equine arsenal—a horse to compete in Friday’s (July 29) Edward M. Ryan, a $53,048 Arden Downs Grand Circuit stake named for Gillespie’s late grandfather, a former owner of The Meadows.
Brocious Racing Stable and trainer Robert Rougeaux III, on the other hand, had just such a horse, a promising 2-year-old gelding trotter named Box Of Luck. The connections talked Thursday and worked out the sale of a share of Box Of Luck to Lone Wolf. The result was pure storybook, as the son of Lucky Chucky-New DVD captured his Ed Ryan division in 1:59 for his third win in five outings. Equestrianconxtion was second, two lengths in arrears, while Toolbox Tuesday earned show.
“It’s (Gillespie’s) grandfather’s memorial race, and he kind of wanted to have a dog in the fight,” Rougeaux said. “I understand that. We have memorials for my grandfather at the fairs, and we’ll race our rear ends off to try to win that blanket. So we worked out a deal.”
Muay Hanover and Don Dream also took Ed Ryan splits in identical clockings of 1:57.1. Dave Palone pulled the pocket with Muay Hanover into the final turn and collected a measured victory in 1:57.1. Vegas Chuck was second, a half-length back, with Moonshiner Hanover third.
“I think the track tonight is actually better if you sit off the rail a little bit,” Palone said. “So I just wanted to get him out in the good footing. He felt great in the bit. I thought it would turn into a sprint, and I had plenty of horse.”
Ron Burke trains Muay Hanover, a son of Donato Hanover-Musetta Hanover, for Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables and J&T Silva Stables.
Don Dream saved ground before brushing through the stretch for Tony Hall and downing Andy M by two lengths. Early leader Monsta Hanover completed the ticket.
“He had a little bit of a snafu in his first race, but we can live with that because he’s doing the job now,” said Todd Rooney, who trains the son of Donato Hanover-Gabbys Dream and owns with Kimberly Farmer. “Tonight we thought we might have to go to the front, but it turned out we didn’t have to. This was a good education for him.”