Burke’s Al Papi sets world record at The Meadows
by Debbie Little
Al Papi set a world, track and stakes record of 1:49.2 for a 2-year-old colt pacer on a five-eighths-mile track in the first of two $69,182 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (PASS) divisions on Thursday (Aug. 21) at The Meadows.
Ron Burke was on hand at his home track to see his trainee rock the clock.
“He is very nice,” Burke said of the freshman son of Papi Rob Hanover—Yankee Cruiser.
Al Papi, driven by Yannick Gingras. left for the lead from post 3 in the five-horse field and was never seriously challenged through fractions of :27, :55.4, and 1:22.2 before crossing the wire a length in front of Toast Of The Town with Melillo in third.
The winner’s back half was a sizzling :53.3, prompting Meadows track announcer Jeff Zidek to say, “I was not expecting a world-record mile here in this five-horse field, but he got it there.”
Owned and bred by Burke Racing Stable LLC, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, Lawrence Karr, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Al Papi now has a record of 3-1-1 in five starts this season and returned $3.40 to win.
When asked if Al Papi reminded Burke of any of his other fast colts, he said, “The other colt that won I think is actually better.”
Burke was referring to undefeated Frantic Hanover, who won the $69,182 second PASS division for 2-year-old colt pacers on the same card.
Driven by Tim Tetrick, the 1-9 favorite won by three lengths over Thai Hanover, with Ain’tplayinnice in third.
Frantic Hanover, a son of Stay Hungry—Francessa, is now a perfect five-for-five this season, including all four legs of the PASS and a division of the PA All-Stars.
Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc, Frantic Hanover sold for $35,000 at the 2024 Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg to Burke Racing Stable LLC, Bradley Grant, Knox Services Inc, and Weaver Bruscemi.
“I’m very happy with this group,” Burke said. “They are better than I even thought.”
Burke also won one of three $20,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania Stallion Series with Loumelo Ball ($3.40). The other Stallion Series splits went to Doug Snyder trainee Southwind Spencer ($7.60), and Easy Breeze ($3) trained by Eddie Dennis.
The 2-year-old PASS finals are at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday (Sept. 5), with the 3-year-old finals the next day (Sept. 6) at The Meadows.
