Briefs
Wild Things sign Hopewell graduate
The Washington Wild Things signed Aliquippa native and former Hopewell High School standout infielder Ryan Cox.
Cox played for a year at St. Bonaventure before heading to Kutztown University, where he finished a solid collegiate career.
The team also announced RHP Griffin Krieg has been transferred from the 14-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. Washington also placed infielder Braxton Morris on the suspended list.
Cox had a .450 batting average and earned All-Area Team, All-Section and Top 20 Team honors as a senior at Hopewell. As a junior, he led his team with a .330 batting average and was awarded All-Section team honors. He hit .380 to lead the team as a sophomore and also played basketball in high school.
Cox played in 31 games at St. Bonaventure as a freshman. He transferred to Kutztown for his sophomore year, where he started 32 of 34 games played for the Golden Bears. His .303 batting average was fourth on the team. Cox hit one home run and drove in 15 as a sophomore.
He redshirted in 2016, then appeared in 26 games (24 starts) as a redshirt junior in 2017. Cox’s best season came in 2018 as a redshirt senior, when he slashed .377/.444/.471 with eight doubles, a triple and a home run. He drove in 32 runs and struck out just 11 times in 138 at bats.
At The Meadows
Casanova’s Jewel erased a 10-length deficit following a break and roared home for an improbable victory in Monday’s $120,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake at The Meadows.
The event for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters was contested over six divisions, with Faithfulandtrue, Crossfit, Cantab Ed, Forecast and Heavensdor Hanover taking the other splits. Eric Goodell enjoyed a stake double behind Forecast and Heavensdor Hanover.
When Casanova’s Jewel misfired near the half, he figured to be getting a training trip and nothing more. But the son of Muscle Massive-True Love kept advancing for Anthony MacDonald and defeated Andovers Asset by a length to earn his maiden score in 2:00.2. Explosive Magic finished third.
“He’s just green, and I lost him coming out of that turn,” MacDonald said. “I was surprised he caught back so quick and was level headed. He has a lot of heart, and he’s a worker. That’s what I love the most about our horses. The ones you like are the ones that want to do it. You can’t do what he just did unless you love what you do.”
Andrew Harris trains Casanova’s Jewel for Thestable Casanova Group.
Two weeks ago in his career debut, Faithfulandtrue inherited the lead following a break and took maximum advantage, collecting his initial victory. On Monday, it was déjà vu all over again; the leader broke, Faithfulandtrue took over the point and drew off to prevail in a stake-fastest 1:58.3. Didyaseezmedoit was second, 3-1/4 lengths back, while Pocono Hanover completed the ticket.
It was a gratifying win for driver Michael Cole owner George & Tina Dennis Racing and trainer Joseph Columbo, who described the Donato Hanover-Seducer Hall gelding as a “problem child.”
‘”He was a little hard on us, breaking him,” Columbo said. “He got a little sore on us, and we found an abscess in his groin after we gelded him, so we had to take a little bit more time coming back. So he was a little bit behind the others, but he caught right up.”
Crossfit found late racing room, angled to the middle of the track for Aaron Merriman and broke his maiden in 2:00.4. Dudelookslikelindy finished second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, with Big Bad Caviar third.
Dave Palone and Goodell each piloted three winners on the 13-race card.