Stakes recaps

3cp

By PHHA/Pocono
ANDREW MCCARTHY, BRETT PELLING DOUBLE IN POCONO STAKES
WILKES-BARRE PA – Last year’s Breeders Crown champion Gem Quality made a successful 2024 debut on Saturday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, winning one of four $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for three-year-old pacing males.

The son of Captain Crunch, whose Crowning achievement was accomplished in 1:50 at Hoosier Park, ironically produced the slowest winning time in the All-Stars, 1:53, but the early fractions were relatively dawdling (:27.3, :57.1, and 1:25.2), and he covered his own last half in :55, moving uncovered past the five-eighths to gain a short advantage by headstretch. That lead expanded to 1¾ lengths at the wire, with Timeisonmyside, who made a first-turn break, making up a lot of ground for the deuce behind the Chris Ryder trainee, who was driven by Dexter Dunn for Let It Ride Stables Inc., Odds On Racing, Brad Grant, and Enviro Stables LTD.

The other three All-Stars sections each went in 1:51.3, with Sweet Lou gaining two siring credits. Women Layer gave driver Todd McCarthy North American win #998, heading down the road in :26.4, :56.1, and 1:23.4, then equaling his mark while a length to the good of Southwind Celsius. The Brett Pelling-conditioned gelding is undefeated in four sophomore starts for Howard Taylor, Order By Stable, Judith Taylor, and Jerry Silva.

Sweet Lou is also the sire of Solid Character, who moved from the pocket on the far turn after Copperfield had laid down splits of :26.4, :55.2, and 1:23.1. then had his task made much easier when that rival lost stride. The gelding won by five lengths over Target Aquired while reducing his lifetime mark for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Robert Jackson, Timothy Sullivan, and Tom Wilson.

Ivy Park also lowered his lifetime record in his seasonal debut, with the Captaintreacherous colt moving out before the :28 quarter and brushing to command, then putting up midfractions of :56.2 and 1:23.3. Ivy Park was kept to business late as Armada Hanover made up a ton of stretch ground while weaving for clearance, only to be a neck shy of the victorious Nancy Takter-trained sophomore, owned by Black Horse Racing, John Fielding, Joe Sbrocco, and Nancy Takter & JAF Racing.

Many of these “glamour division” horses will be back at Pocono in seven days time to contest Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Stallion Series races.

Chief Rocco authored the fastest trotting mile of the year to date at the mountain oval when he won a $17,000 contest in 1:52.4. The Walner gelding made the most of getting in off the “also eligible list,” setting a new life mark for driver Simon Allard and trainer/owner Mark Akins

A trio of $15,000 paces for high-priced claiming horses top the Sunday card at Pocono, which begins at 6 p.m. ; there will also be a carryover into the Pick-5 wager that begins in race five. Free Pocono programs are or will be available at www.phha.org.
TOP "GLAMOUR DIVISION" COLTS IN PA ALL-STARS ACTION
May 15
PHHA / Pocono
CURTIS SALONICK PHOTO
WILKES-BARRE PA – The Pennsylvania-sired “glamour division,” the three-year-old pacing males, were featured in their first of two consecutive Sunday stops at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, contesting three $30,000 divisions of their Pennsylvania All-Stars event.

The fastest divisional winner, the Sweet Lou gelding Idiosyncratic, was also the only non-favorite to be victorious, taking a new mark of 1:50.3 as the 5-2 second choice. Simon Allard directed Idiosyncratic three-wide down the backstretch to loop a parked-the-mile horse, then kept coming in the stretch to catch Mamba, who had gone fractions of :26.4, :54.1, and 1:22.1 under pressure, by three-quarters a length, with favored Stay Grounded shuffled back then closing for third. Ron Burke trains the winner, a winner of half his twelve seasonal starts who lowered his mark from The Meadows last week by a tick, for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Favored sons of Captaintreacherous took the other two cuts, one easily, one not so easily. The Brett Pelling-trained Command gradually worked up from the outside post eight by Todd McCarthy, wearing the colors of owners Diamond Creek Racing, and took command, putting up splits of :27.2, :56, and 1:23.3. Hunters Hero swung wide from second-over and closed powerfully on the far outside at 30-1, but he was a nose shy in the 1:51.1 mile, with pocketsitter Panettone Hanover just another nose shy of taking it all.

Perhaps the most impressive winner to the eye won in the slowest clocking of the three, 1:51.4. Ken Hanover, coming off a 1:49.4 Meadows Sire Stakes win, was the overwhelming choice and was driven by confidence by David Miller (career win #13,998), laying off early fractions of :27.2 and :57.1 before launching a steady uncovered bid well before the 1:24.3 three-quarters. Ken Hanover ate up the ground until taking over late on the turn, then held off second-over Lyons Surfing by 2¼ lengths while pacing his own last half in :53.4. Trainer Polie Mallar and co-owners Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan, and Dennis Osterholt look to have themselves a national-caliber colt here.
NIGHT HAWK IMPRESSES IN PA ALL-STARS AT POCONO
The sport’s “glamour division,” the three-year-old pacing colts, came to The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Sunday for three $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event, and the most impressive – not necessarily because he had the fastest time, but the way he raced – was the Betting Line colt Night Hawk.

David Miller guided the sophomore up to the lead by a :27 quarter, and then got “average” (for these) splits of :55.4 and 1:23.4. The only foe hanging close was pocketsitter Captain Cowboy, and when Miller gave his colt a gentle wakeup call soon into the stretch, he responded with a :26.1 blitz home to complete the 1:50 mile, not looking like he was working hard at all. Captain Cowboy, to his credit, was only a length back, but Night Hawk always looked to be in control while establishing a lifetime best.

The Brian Brown trainee won two Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at two, one without Lasix then one with, and his season was ended last July 17. Since returning for Acadia Farms Inc., Joe Sbrocco, In The Gym Partners, and Leeman Lombardo Stable, he won in 1:51.2 - :53.3 - :26 at Hoosier, was second from off the pace in the first Sire Stakes event at The Meadows, and now produced this powerful performance, hinting at better things to come.

The other two winners also put in high-quality miles. In one, the Sweet Lou colt Market Based rebounded from a break in his 2022 debut in a Meadows Sire cut, sitting in the pocket as PJ Lou set splits of :26.3, :55.2, and 1:23, then sprinting home in the Pocono Pike to get the decision by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.2, his fastest win. Andrew McCarthy got a sharp late response from the winner of the 2021 Matron and an All-Stars event last year as well; Nancy Takter trains the talented three-year-old for the ownership of Chuck Pompey, Edwin Gold, and H&M Taylor Stable.

Mad Max Hanover, a hard-charging second, just a neck shy, in last year’s Governor’s Cup, is now two-for-three in 2022 while taking a new mark in 1:50.3 in the other All-Stars contest. Six Feet Apart took the lead from Layton Hanover past the quarter in :27.1 and set midrace numbers of :55.4 and 1:23.3, with Mad Max Hanover coming up on the grind for driver Tim Tetrick. The colts mentioned put on an excellent three-way stretch battle, with Mad Max Hanover finishing a neck ahead of Six Feet Apart, who in turn was a neck ahead of Layton Hanover. The victorious altered son of Always B Miki is trained by Jake Leamon for owner Marvin Rounick.
One Eight Hundred bounces back in PA All-Star Competition
May 8, 2021, by PHHA/Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono
Favorites won seven of the first eight races at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Saturday (May 8) afternoon, but then the first three of four divisions of a $120,000 Pennsylvania All-Stars event for three-year-old pacing colts saw the chalk go down to defeat. However, a familiar name, very popular with the crowd, took the final division.
One Eight Hundred, the $800,000 yearling by Somebeachsomewhere – Economy Terror, rebounded from his bad-luck loss in the Weiss Final, taking a new mark of 1:50.1. Driver Tim Tetrick moved One Eight Hundred frontwards past the :27.2 quarter, reached the lead and posted middle fractions of :55.3 and 1:23.1, then saw the colt pace home strongly in :27.
One Eight Hundred is now 3-for-4 in 2021, and he seems ready to take on Sire Stakes competition here next Sunday for trainer Nancy Takter, co-owner with Brixton Medical Inc.
The Captaintreacherous gelding Gamblin Mo was outstanding in his section, posting a 1:50.1 clocking for a new mark and equal honors in the stakes speed competition on the day. The teaming of driver Tyler Buter and trainer John Butenschoen has been red-hot at Pocono in recent days, with the Butenschoen barn winning at a 38% clip, and this one went down the road while leaving little doubt who was best for David & John Prushnok, David J. Miller, and VIP Internet Stable LLC.
A pair of sons of Sweet Lou triumphed in the other two All-Stars cuts. The gelding Emblaze Hanover showed good rallying ability off a hot pace, drawing clear late while earning a news speed mark of 1:50.2 for driver Joe Bongiorno, trainer Ron Burke, and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC, Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky, Jason Melillo, and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby.
The last division came down to a battle between the McCarthy brothers, as Andrew and the colt Hellabalou came out of the pocket to catch Komodo Beach and Todd by a neck in 1:52.1. The Eddie Dennis trainee, a 1:51.1 winner in his seasonal debut at Philly, is owned by Eric Good.

3ct

By PHHA/Pocono
SECURITY PROTECTED WINS FASTEST ALL-STARS DIVISION

Two out of three favorites prevailed in $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for three-year-old trotting colts Sunday evening at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, with the fastest winner, the Father Patrick colt Security Protected, scoring in 1:53 after closing furiously in his seasonal bow.

Tim Tetrick tucked fifth with Security Protected early, then came out third-over and was not particularly well-served by his cover in a race with fractions of :27.2, :56.4, and 1:24.4. But Tetrick tipped the Marcus Melander trainee four-wide in the lane, and the pair rallied from sixth, 4½ lengths behind at the stretch call, to get the decision by a half-length over railshooting White Shoe Hanover, coming his own last panel in :27.2, for Judith Taylor, Brad Grant, and Order By Stable AB.

The other All-Stars chalk was the Cantab Hall colt Blackhawk Zette, who opened his season with five straight wins at The Downs, including a sweep of his Weiss series, before finishing second in the Dexter Cup. Here he rebounded to his winning ways, inheriting the pocket after a :27.3 opener, staying there through a :56.3 half, then moving outside before the 1:25.2 three-quarters. Blackhawk Zette trotted smartly on to command, then was 2¼ lengths clear of closer Skydiver while lowering his mark to 1:53.3 under the guidance of Matt Kakaley for trainer Robert Baggitt Jr. and J L Sadowsky LLC.

The only outsider winning an All-Stars division was the Bar Hopping gelding Usain Hanover, who made two speed moves during fractions of :29, :57.3, and 1:26, then sprinted home in 27.3 to withstand Luke The Spook by half a length, with the 1:53.3 final clocking a lifetime best. Usain Hanover had gone 2-1-1 in the Weiss Series prelims before breaking in the final, and a subsequent break in an overnight caused the crowd to release him at 8-1, but he was at his best Sunday for driver Tyler Buter, trainer Nifty Norman, and Enzed Racing Stable Inc.
Herodotus, Once In A Lifetime PA All-Stars winners
May 23
May 22, 2023, from PHHA / Pocono
Curtis Salonick Photo
Wilkes-Barre, PA – The first clash of the Hambletonian-hopeful 3-year-old trotting males took place Monday afternoon (May 22) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, with even-money shots Herodotus and Once In A Lifetime earning new speed marks while winning their respective $37,500 divisions.
Herodotus, named after a Greek historian, certainly has a solid record this year, notching his third win in four 2023 starts with a 1:53 victory for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Hatfield Stables. David Miller moved Herodotus from second past a :28.1 quarter, took the lead, then surrendered it to Commander Frank, who carried the field to splits of :56.3 and 1:24.4, with favored (by $41) French Wine challenging first-over.
In the stretch, the battle fell to the front two inside horses, with Miller tipping Herodotus to the Pocono Pike, and although Commander Frank battled hard, the half-length win margin was not really reflective of the confidence Miller seemed to have in his Bar Hopping gelding late.
Once In A Lifetime, the 2022 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisional champ in his section, remained unbeaten in two seasonal outings for trainer Jim Campbell and Sad Frog Farms while winning in 1:53.3. Tim Tetrick made two moves to control the pace through fractions of :28, :57.2, and 1:26.1, then bid the field adieu by tacking on a :27.2 last quarter. Crantini, the second-place finisher in the PaSS Championship last season, did well from the pocket after hard early usage but came up shy by -1/4 lengths to the Father Patrick colt Once In A Lifetime, who was the pari-mutuel favorite.
HAMBLETONIAN-CLASS TROTTERS IN POCONO ALL-STARS ACTION
In changing weather, three impressive three-year-old males won their respective $30,000 divisions of Pennsylvania All-Stars action during the Sunday twilight card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Over a “fast” track in the first division, raced before the rain came, Kosher Mahoney was let go at 7-1, was unbothered on the lead, and came home in :56.3 - :28.1 to win in a new mark of 1:53.3 for driver Andrew McCarthy, trainer Symon Spicer, and Keystone Stable. Favored S I P made a brief break in the pocket early and did not have enough to recover; closest to the victorious Explosive Matter gelding at the finish was Dandy, whose vaunted late kick was not suited to the speed-favoring situation at that time and came up 1¼ lengths short to the winner of $131,527.

Just before the second division the rain came, changed the track to “sloppy +1,” lowered the temperature 13 degrees, and changed the wind direction 180 degrees from a stretch headwind to a stretch tailwind – but Andrew McCarthy still won again, here with the Father Patrick gelding Ducasse in 1:54.4. The Nancy Takter trainee used a wind-aided last quarter of :27.4 in keeping Nice Guy Eddie 1 3/4 lengths in arrears, winning for the fourth time in five seasonal starts for Brixton Medical Inc., Christina Takter, Hatfield Stables, and Fair Island Farm Inc.

The Bar Hopping gelding That Old Bar Stool, going for his fourth straight win in the third division, was patiently guided to the lead by Matt Kakaley in front of the stands and looked to have a safe lead approaching midstretch. But remember that wind shift and stretch tailwind? That may have helped propel Parola Hanover, last and 4½ lengths behind at headstretch (after taking back early), to make a giant late move that came up a head shy. But That Old Bar Stool weathered the late storm and now has wins in ten 2022 starts for trainer Robert W. Clark and owners Clark Stables LLC and Tina Clark.

The stakes-winning drivers, Matt Kakaley and Andrew McCarthy, had the best nights among the drivers, each having three victories overall. Eleven of thirteen favorites won, and thirteen of thirteen winners avoided the two-wide tier to start their second halves.
Whiskey Blu wins for 10th time in 2021 in Pennsylvania All-Stars
May 24
The Southwind Frank gelding Whiskey Blu, a $7,000 yearling unraced at two, is now the winningest trotter in North America in 2021 as he recorded his 10th victory of the campaign in one of three $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for sophomore trotting colts Saturday afternoon (May 22) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Dan Charlino guided the Ron Burke-trained Whiskey Blu to the lead just past a quick :27 opener, and soon had slight favorite Type A charging at him, with Type A clearing to the top only as he approached the half in :55.2. Whiskey Blu sat in the pocket to the 1:23.4 three-quarters and into the stretch, when he moved out and caught the stubborn Type A by a head in 1:53.2 while taking a new mark for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC along with Kitefield Stable.
Whiskey Blu now has the 10 wins (including a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes division), which also ties him with Giggle Monster for the overall North American lead; in his other two starts he was second, beaten by a nose and a half-length.
Yet another promising sophomore trotter from Team Orange Crush, trainer Julie and driver Andy Miller, recorded a stakes victory when the Father Patrick gelding Sunny Crockett grabbed command past a :27.4 opener and posted splits of :56.4 and 1:25.3 en route to an easy victory in 1:54.2, which reduced his speed record. Sunny Crockett already his eight wins in his still-young career for Willow Oak Ranch and Andy Miller Stable Inc.
In the third cut, the Bar Hopping gelding Mister Boinga continued his improving form while making every pole a winning one in 1:54, also a career mark. Despite the outside post seven, Mister Boinga got to the top for driver Jason Bartlett and laid down fractions of :27.4, :57, and 1:25.2 en route to his second win in his last three starts for trainer Jill Roland and owner Bernard O’Brien.
Hambo prospects shine in All-Stars races at Pocono
July 11, 2020, by PHHA/Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono
Wilkes-Barre, PA — Many owners and trainers contemplating entering their top three-year-old trotters for the sport’s greatest prize, the Hambletonian, got a good evaluation of their horse’s prowess three weeks before Hambo Elim day as The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono held three $30,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania All-Stars event for this division on Saturday (July 11) afternoon.
The fastest winner was the Father Patrick colt Big Oil (Andrew McCarthy), undefeated in two starts this year and the setter of a world record for a dead-heat on the trot when he tied with Real Cool Sam in 1:52.1 at Lexington last year. McCarthy, deputizing in the sulky for trainer Julie Miller and the ownership of Melvin Hartman, David McDuffee and Little E LLC, showed speed with the favored colt to the first quarter in 27.2 – but then got a bit of surprise as second choice Chestnut Hill (George Napolitano Jr.) rocketed from eighth to first in the second quarter, looping a parked horse, and putting Big Oil in the pocket in middle fractions of :57.2 and 1:24.4.
Chestnut Hill got away by a couple of lengths into the stretch, but then his hard exertions started to get to him, and as Big Oil charged forward, the pacesetter lapsed from stride, with Big Oil winding up 2-1/4 lengths to the good at the end of the 1:53.2 mile. Despite the late miscue, Chestnut Hill impressed with his speed and held second after a brief inquiry found he violated no rules.
The Father Patrick gelding Amigo Volo (Napolitano Jr.), who set four world records during his freshman campaign and earned over $600,000, earned his first victory in his second 2020 start, winning another division by two lengths in 1:54. Napolitano Jr. sat back off the pace with the winner before clearing the lead at the half. He was able to keep pocket sitter Swiss House Onfire (Ake Svanstedt) at bay for trainer Nifty Norman and the ownership of Pinske Stables and David J. Miller.
The Andover Hall colt DD’s Redemption may be given a shot at the upcoming big money, as in only his fifth lifetime start he took a new mark of 1:54.4 in his All-Stars cut. Ake Svanstedt raced ”DD” in the pocket after Shinkansen (McCarthy) insisted on the lead, moved out head stretch, and then just did hold off the 55-1 Overserved (Marcus Miller), who shot up the vacated inside to miss by the slimmest of margins. Svanstedt is also the trainer of the chancy colt for Meri Equicare LLC.
George Napolitano Jr. wound up the day with six visits to the winner’s circle. The final one gave Pocono its fastest mile of the year so far as Branquinho, a son of Somebeachsomewhere who had missed only two lengths behind Workin Ona Mystery in a Graduate division at Tioga, closed off a cutthroat pace to take a new mark of 1:49.3 for owner/trainer Ray Schnittker.
During a twilight card starting 5 p.m. tomorrow, Pocono will feature five divisions of an All-Stars event for two-year-old pacing colts, which will include three winners from the first leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes: Always A Miki, Bayfield Beach, and Lou’s Pearlman.

2cp

Railroad Station moved to the engine before the half and was in full control of one of four $30,000 Pennsylvania All-Stars divisions for two-year-old pacing males Monday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, steaming home to a spectacular clocking of 1:51.1 five lengths ahead of the field.

Railroad Station actually had a brief advantage from the rail soon after the gate sprang, but David Miller took the Sweet Lou – Rodeo Rosie colt in hand to let outside contenders Paxamillion and Joe The Bartender battle for the early lead. The two slugged it out well past the :26.1 opening fraction, and as Joe The Bartender finally claimed the top under the wire the first time, Railroad Station was already on the move to retake, getting the lead quickly and going to the half in :54.1.

Paxamilllion came out for another move before the 1:23 three-quarters, but on the far turn the winner achieved separation from his rivals and widened his advantage in the lane, winning by five lengths over Joe The Bartender with Miller motionless behind him. Railroad Station had paced his last quarter in :26 to miss a nose in a Kindergarten division in his only other purse start, and he certainly looks like the real deal for trainer Ron Burke and the ownership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Hatfield Stables, and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby.

Miller, Burke, Sweet Lou, and Burke / Weaver Bruscemi accounted for another All-Stars win with the colt Da Lou Ron Ron (dam Sassa Hanover), who is also owned by Lawrence Karr and Frank Baldachino. In his purse bow, Da Lou Ron Ron got a crafty steer from Miller, sitting midpack behind early numbers of :27 and :56.1, moving uncovered down to back then getting a brief respite by tucking third ahead of a gapper past a 1:25 third quarter, then coming up the Pocono Pike and catching pacesetter Waterfront by a half-length in 1:53.

The other two All-Stars winners both paced in 1:52.1 for new marks. Bitcoin Hanover, a son of Stay Hungry – Boldnbrash Hanover, continued a recent Pocono success story by shippers from Rideau Carleton Raceway (this one via Toronto). The colt knocked four seconds off his mark, overcoming the outside post eight to put up fractions of :27.2, :57.2, and 1:25 en route to a neck win over potential pocket rocket and favorite Inflation Proof. Tyler Buter had the drive behind the winner of three of four, with Rob Harmon the trainer for Robert Robinson and Paul Smyth.

Rideau Carleton is 345 miles away from Wilkes-Barre, but Gratz PA is only 75 miles distant, and the Papi Rob Hanover – Dagnabit Hanover gelding Dreamboat Hanover again showed he didn’t mind the trip, following up on a 1:52.2 overnight debut win with his All-Stars victory here. Andy Miller guided the baby to the lead past a :27.4 opener, put up midsplits of :56.3 and 1:25, then dug in against a pocket threat from 31-1 shot Lennon Hanover for a three-quarter length decision for trainer Cody Schadel. Cody’s father and mother Todd and Christine co-own the fast freshman with Timothy Hayes and Dr. Megan Moschgat.
FRESHMAN PACING COLTS SHINE IN PA All-STARS RACES
Jul 17
PHHA / Pocono
WILKES-BARRE PA – Precocious two-year-old pacing males were on display in four $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event on Monday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, and the four winners all emerged as still unbeaten in purse contests.

The only non-favorite to win, the Captaintreacherous – Square Dancer colt Lyons Benjamin, was hardly a longshot at 7-5, and didn't look like one as he did cut the pace and then come home in :55.1 - :26.4 to defeat favored Booming Economy by a neck in 1:53.1. The Jim King Jr. trainee, driven by Tim Tetrick, is owned by Threelyonsracing, and he also stepped home in :55.1 - :26.4 to win his purse bow in 1:55.4 at Philly.

Captaintreacherous earned another siring credit when Ivy Park (dam All Blue) won his purse debut in 1:53.4 after surmounting a first-over grind. Yannick Gingras drove the winning colt for trainer Nancy Takter and the ownership of Black Horse Racing, John Fielding, Joe Sbrocco, and Nancy Takter & JAF Racing.

The timer again froze at 1:53.4 when Yannick Gingras crossed the wire first with another making his purse bow, the Heston Blue Chip – Morenci colt Hugh Heston, who moved to the lead early and won handily for trainer Per Engblom and Morrison Racing Stables.

Another 1:53.4 mile was put in by Rose Run Zeke, a Stay Hungry – Rose Run Ultimate gelding who came to town off two purse wins, including a 1:52.1 victory at The Meadows in his previous race. Here pacesetter War Machine got away to a 1:27 three-quarters, with Rose Run Zeke moving into the far turn to challenge, and “Zeke” just got the better of his game rival by a nose, coming his own last quarter in :26.3 for driver Hunter Myers and trainer/owner Mitchell York.
ANNAPOLIS HANOVER, BUGABOO LOU FASTEST ALL-STARS WINNERS
PHHA / Pocono
WILKES-BARRE PA – Two-year-old pacing colts, some of whom should be heard from further as the season progresses, were featured in four $30,000 divisions of their Pennsylvania All-Stars event at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono during the Sunday twilight card.

The thrills – both high and low – of racing talented but green babies were on display in the first event. Mamba went quickly to the lead; favored Ken Hanover, looped out of the gate, pressed on to command past a :27.4 quarter, while second choice Lousain Bolt, sitting third, came out of the turn a mite wide. Ken Hanover continued on to the half in :57.1 and had the lead deep down the back when the Sweet Lou – Lucy’s Pearl colt Lousain Bolt, who had been closing well recently without getting up to win, made a sudden burst to the 1:25.3 three-quarters to sweep on by not long past that call; Ken Hanover drifted into the pylons when passed, but was absolved of any foul.

With Lousain Bolt going by, Swift Operator was left raw, and Mamba backed out behind him on the turn, only to drift very wide off that bend. Lousain Bolt was on cruise control in the process of finishing in :27.1 for a maiden mark of 1:52.4 when another pacer moved up – Ken Hanover, who had been left far behind on the turn, closed in sharply late, but still came up 4¼ lengths short of the winner. Lousain Bolt, who may be as fast as his “namesake,” is backed by new Hall Of Famers Yannick Gingras and Ron Burke for the ownership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Elizabeth Novak, and Howard Taylor.

First-time starter Bamboozler was the favorite in the next All-Stars section and set fractions of :26.4, :55.1, and 1:24 while looking good on the lead. But the Stay Hungry – All Night Long gelding Annapolis Hanover was ratcheting up his speed nearing the three-quarters to go up and challenge, and that fast freshman had the needed quickstep to gain into a :27.3 sprint home to take a neck decision in a new mark of 1:51.3 for driver David Miller. The three-time-winning baby was the second stakes winner of the day for trainer/owner Mitchell York – the other came at Stoneboro Fair, 264 miles almost due west across Pennsylvania.

More of “Those Unpredictable Babies” came in the third section, with the Captaintreacherous – Scandalous Hanover colt Ship Ship Hooray really the only one leaving with much forward foot, getting to stroll to the quarter in :29.3. Favored Girldad had had enough of that and “rushed” to the lead well before the half – in 1:00.2. Meanwhile, Nolaughingstock, very steppy away from the gate, commenced an uncovered bid, but was three-wide from before the half as the first-over.

The three-quarters came in 1:28.3, with Girldad leading and Nolaughingstock advancing on the wide side, so David Miller moved Ship Ship Hooray out between horses on the turn, and that one proved to have the most by a neck (two feet) over Nolaughingstock, who lost a dozen times that much “distance”/energy on his wide sojourn. But Ship Ship Hooray was the most photogenic in the unusual 1:56.4 mile, and is undefeated in two starts for trainer Chris Ryder and owners Ryder Henderson Mondillo, Ken Jacobs, and Barry Spak.

David Miller picked up his third All-Stars victory of the evening, and Sweet Lou got his second siring credit, when favored Bugaboo Lou (dam Perplexed) tied as fastest All-Star of the night with a 1:51.3 triumph on the engine. The next two choices, Ervin Hanover and Fulton, were undefeated before this race, but Miller sent “Bugaboo” right to the top, putting those two behind him in that order, posted early numbers of :28.2 and :57.3, then visibly asked his horse for more late on the backstretch, which resulted in a 1:25 three-quarters and then a :26.3 last panel, leaving Ervin Hanover 2¼ lengths behind and Fulton Hanover another 1 1/4 lengths back. Bugaboo Lou had lost his only purse start to Fulton, but he showed his quality in that race by coming home in :54.1- :26.4 to be second, and with the race under his girth he was set to win for trainer Brian Brown and owners Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, AWS Stables LLC, and Acadia Farms Inc.
In all, David Miller had five successes on the Pocono card.
TALENTED BABIES IMPRESS IN POCONO PA ALL-STARS RACES
Jul 11
PHHA / Pocono
WILKES-BARRE PA – The favorites got the job done impressively in each of three $35,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania All-Stars event for two-year-old pacing colts during the Sunday twilight card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Nancy Takter each accounted for two of three divisions – though they teamed behind only one winner. That would be Wearinmysixshooter, a son of Captaintreacherous and the first foal of Just Like Kate, who has maternal generations of talented relations. Wearinmysixshooter won by only a neck, and went in “only” 1:53.2, but the victory showed the importance of fractions – Birthday got away with his own pace of :28.4, :58.2, and 1:26.4, but Wearinmysixshooter could quickly find a supersonic last 1/8 to catch the game pacesetter, coming his own back fractions in :54.3 - :26.1. A winner in a Pennsylvania Sire Stake in his only other purse start, Wearinmysixshooter is owned by Perry Soderberg.

Captaintreacherous is also a part of the pedigree of the other Tetrick winner, the Sweet Lou gelding JM’s Finaltreasure, who like the “Captain” has Worldly Treasure as his dam. JM’s Finaltreasure went patiently guided to the top after the :27.1 opener, rested to the half in :56.2, resisted a first-over challenge to the 1:24.3 three-quarters, and then paced home in :27.3 to finish in 1:52.1, a new mark. Ron Burke trains the winner for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, along with J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby and Phil Collura. JM’s Finaltreasure had previously won a Home Grown division in 1:53.4 - :25.4 and then missed a head to Idid It Myway in a Sire Stakes contest.

Nancy Takter’s second All-Star was a Sweet Lou colt out of the champion mare Economy Terror and thus a half brother to One Eight Hundred, Market Based. Dexter Dunn allowed the youngster to work to the lead past the :27.2 quarter, hung up middle fractions of :56.3 and 1:25, then hustled the horse home in :27.1 to take a new mark of 1:52.1. In his only other purse start (after a pair of 1:55 baby race wins) Market Based had the bad luck of suffering an interference break, but the freshman showed no ill effects and exhibited much talent, downshifting in early stretch impressively in winning here for Chuck Pompey, Ed Gold, and H&M Taylor Stable.

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By PHHA/Pocono
BABY TROTTING COLTS IN POCONO'S PA ALL-STARS

Two-year-olds saw their first stakes action on the last day of the first half of the year at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, as there were three $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for baby trotting males.

David Miller won his third type of Pennsylvania stake on the day in taking the quickest division, 1:57.1, with Cheers Hanover, adding an All-Stars win to his Sire Stakes and Stallion Series victories notched at Philly this afternoon. The successful Bar Hopping – Chez Lucie colt let Elan Hanover go by at the :29 quarter and was content to wait in the pocket through middle fractions of :59.4 and 1:29.1. Miller tipped him down into the Pocono Pike and the freshman found a higher gear quickly, catching the pacesetter in the :28 kicker by a neck, with the first-over Portobarosso AS NL just another neck off in third. The first-time starter is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jim Simpson, and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby.

Tim Tetrick took full advantage of the wind and the talents of the Greenshoe – Fashion Athena gelding Fashion Green to take a new mark of 1:57.2 to open his career with two wins. After a :29.2 opener Tetrick moved the Fashion Farms LLC-owned freshman to the lead, making his move with the prevailing air to reach the top in :58.3. With no backstretch challenger, Tetrick could back off the three-quarters to 1:29.3, then sprint home in :27.4 with the chalk to stave off Meshuggah by a neck. The winner’s trainer, Jim Campbell, will next Sunday be 95 miles ENE of Pocono – being inducted into the Hall Of Fame in Goshen NY.

Set The Bar went right out to the lead in a :29 quarter in his division, and then driver Todd Schadel was able to give him a breather to the half in 1:01.1 even with the wind “advantage.” The Bar Hopping – Promisemethis gelding got to the three-quarters in 1:31.1, met the outside challenge of Arrowhead Hanover and the Pocono Pike challenge of The Fix Is In, and powered home in :28.2 to break his maiden in 1:59.3, a head ahead of The Fix Is In and three parts of a length ahead of favored Arrowhead Hanover. Cody Schadel handles the talented colt for his father, the driver, his mother Christine, and Rick and Regina Beinhauer.
WILKES-BARRE PA – The Pennsylvania stakes season for rookie trotters at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania was born on the Third Of July this year with 4 - $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars contest. The fastest winner, a Father Patrick – Muscle Babe colt Crown Monarch, in 1:57.4. Yannick Gingras was in the sulky for trainer Per Engblom and owners Engblom Stables LLC, Amos Lengacher, and Tomas Andersson. First-crop sire Greenshoe put together a siring double with the next two quickest winners. Sir Fred Jones (dam Stella Jane), with Brian Sears got the colt up in time for a 1:58 win for trainer Marcus Melander and Midnight Sun Partners. The Greenshoe - Majestic Lexi gelding Going Green made an early move to command for driver David Miller and triumphed in 1:58.1 for trainer Jenny Melander (no known relation of Marcus’s) and Melander Racing Inc., Clark Stables LLC, and Noonan Hanover Harness Racing LLC. Father Patrick got a second siring credit when the colt Reformation (dam Crazy In Lindy) surmounted a hard trip, being shuffled then rallying from sixth almost halfway down the lane for a 1:59.2 triumph for owners Kathy Schoeffel, David Goehle, Stephen Lander, and Maxx Fortune Stable. Driver Brady Brown and trainer Steve Schoeffel, based in western Pennsylvania, had a very good All-Stars day, with this win and a second, starters in all four divisions, and $24,900 in earnings to keep them warm during the ship back west.
TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN FIRST STAKES ACTION AT POCONO
WILKES-BARRE PA – The two-year-olds saw their first stakes action at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Monday afternoon, with two $35,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for trotting colts.

The International Moni – Peach Martini colt Crantini crossed the Canada/U.S. border to make his money debut and then posted a 1:56.4 triumph at first asking in the quicker section. Scott Zeron, big winner on the day with four sulky successes, got the baby away second behind the 1-5 favorite Paramount Legend N (a rare Down Under horse to race on these shores as a two-year-old), then tipped him outside on the far turn. The two freshmen battled each other until Crantini was able to go by by three-quarters of a length for trainer Megan Scran and Thestable Crantini Group.

In the other division, Herodotus, a Bar Hopping – Regal Woman colt who was named after the man Cicero called the “Father Of History,” started writing his own racing history with a 1:58 victory in his first purse start. David Miller kept the 3-5 choice in third down the backstretch, but then got some fortune when the pocketsitter pulled nearing the three-quarters and he and his colt were able to slide up into the two-hole; from there, Herodotus waited for the Pocono Pike then used it as his path to a 2¼ length victory over longshot Dancehall King. Newly-minted Hall Of Famer Ron Burke trains the promising bay for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC along with Hatfield Stables.
KEG STAND, GLOBAL PANDEMIC IMPRESSIVE IN MONDAY POCONO STAKES ACTION
Keg Stand and Global Pandemic were the winners in two $37,500 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for two-year-old trotting colts at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Monday afternoon, as the freshmen saw their first stakes action at the mountain oval in 2021.

Keg Stand, a colt by Bar Hopping – Palm Beach Bi, was kept just off the upfront action by Dexter Dunn as Big Miles gave way to S I P nearing the :28.1 quarter; Whiskey Hanover came out in front of the stands and took over the top before the :58.1 half. Dunn moved Keg Stand first-over and was in gear going to the 1:27.1 three-quarters, and through the stretch Keg Stand had too much while finishing his mile in 1:55.4 for a maiden mark. S I P rallied for second, 1¼ lengths behind Keg Stand, who is trained by Nancy Takter for Black Horse Racing, Christina Takter, and John Fielding.

Keg Stand had been a closing third in his only other purse start, in a Tompkins-Geers stake; the horse who won that race, Global Pandemic, is now undefeated in two starts after clocking his All-Stars mile in 1:57.2. Big Ben Hanover set the pace with fractions of :28.3, :58.3, and 1:27.2; Yannick Gingras moved the successful son of Cantab Hall – Nicole’s Promise uncovered from third down the backstretch, and in the lane drew away to finish four lengths ahead of the fractionsetter for trainer Ron Burke and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC along with Hatfield Stables.

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By PHHA/Pocono
ELISTA HANOVER FASTEST OF PA ALL-STARS TROTTERS

Elista Hanover continued her rum as the horse to beat among the Pennsylvania-sired three-year-old trotting fillies, winning for the fifth straight time in one of four $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars contest in 1:54.3 over “sloppy” going Monday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Jeff Gregory reserved the daughter of International Moni off the early pace of :28.2 and :57.3, then asked her to get into high gear, and “Elista” complied quickly, challenging for command by the 1:26.1 three-quarters and taking over late on the far bend. The filly won by 2¾ lengths over the closer Fannie Lipkowitz, and she now has won a Weiss Series Final, a Pennsylvania Sire Stake, and now an All-Stars event in her last three trips to the gate for trainer Annie Stoebe, co-owner with R. Lynn and Philomena Curry.

Two of the All-Stars contests went to horses driven by Matt Kakaley for trainer Åke Svanstedt. The Father Patrick miss Slip Sliding Away showed no ill effects from being away from the races for nearly seven months, getting stronger as she went nearer to her destination of the wire to win over Loveyoubunches in 1:55 for Marvin and Lynn Katz and Al Libfeld. Kakaley/Svanstedt also clicked with the Southwind Frank sophomore She Shaq, three-wide from late backstretch through most of the far turn and still winning by a neck over Cheval Rapide in 1:56 for Åke Svanstedt Inc., Little E LLC, and Matt Franklin.

The other All-Stars winner was the richest of the successful stakes quartet, the Bar Hopping filly Sambuca Hanover, who went to the lead for driver George Napolitano Jr. in front of the stands and won handily over The Moment in 1:55.2 to raise her earnings to $303,500 for trainer Nifty Norman and owners David McDuffee, Paul Bordogna, and Melvin Hartman.
BOND IMPRESSIVE IN 2023 BOW AT POCONO
Jun 4
PHHA / Pocono
WILKES-BARRE PA – Special Way was the Breeders Crown champion and voted the two-year-old trotting filly of the year in 2022, and she’s undefeated in three starts this year. And yet there is still a question if Special Way is even the best filly – in Åke Svanstedt’s barn.

The cause of doubt is the Southwind Frank filly Bond, who won the PA Sires Final, Kindergarten Final, and Goldsmith Maid Final last year; in her seasonal debut at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania Sunday evening, she cleared to the lead from post eight before the first turn, rated the pace, then sprinted home in :26.4 for a powerful victory in 1:52.3, equaling her mark. Her victory came in one of three $30,000 divisions of her Pennsylvania All-Stars event.

Railee Something had her share of backers – she was sent off at 1-1 vs. Bond’s 4-5 off three wins to start the year – but she was outfooted away from post six by her rival’s instant acceleration, settling for the pocket through soft fractions of :28, :56.4, and 1:25.4. Railee Something pulled out of the pocket midturn, came her own last quarter in :26.4 -- and despite the giant effort of her own, lost a little stretch ground to the winner, who was a length to the good at the finish for trainer/driver Svanstedt (via Åke Svanstedt Inc.) and co-owners Little E LLC and L. Berg Inc.

Angelpedia rang up a lifetime best of 1:53.2 in winning her All-Stars division for driver Mike Wilder, trainer Dan Altmeyer, and owners Gil Short and Ross Stables LLC. The Cantab Hall filly was in front before the :27.4 initial fraction, got a breather to a :57.1 half then sped up the three-quarters to 1:25.3, keeping the accelerator down through a :27.4 final split in winning by 4¼ lengths.

Heavy favorite Fashion Annie got her first victory of the year by taking the other All-Stars split in 1:54.4. After a :28 opener, the Donato Hanover filly was hard used to reach a crowded front end by the :56.4 half. Fashion Annie hit the three-quarters in 1:25.2, then looked in control to the wire with a two length final margin for driver Tim Tetrick, trainer Jim Campbell, and Fashion Farms LLC.
BAPTISM FASTEST PA ALL-STARS WINNER AT POCONO
Baptism was the fastest winner in three groups of three-year-old trotting fillies contesting $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars contest on Sunday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

There was no doubt the daughter of Southwind Frank – Fall From Grace (she out of the dam of Archangel) was speedy – she went to the three-quarters in 1:23.4 in a Stallion Series at The Meadows in her last start. What was unsure was her stamina – in that race she came home in :32.1 to just hold on.

But Baptism put it all together on Sunday – taking the early lead, letting two horses go by in early fractions of :26.3 and :55.3, then moving uncovered midbackstretch to take the lead by the 1:24.1 three-quarters. And Baptism finished very strongly for trainer/driver Åke Svanstedt (wearing the colors of Diamond Creek Racing, co-owner with Crossover Racing), tacking on a :28.1 kicker to stop the clock in 1:52.2, a new mark by 3 3/5 seconds and just a tick off the seasonal trot standard at Pocono. Pacesetter Samosa held for second, but was 6¼ lengths behind.

Manon remained undefeated in three seasonal starts for trainer Lucas Wallin and driver Tim Tetrick, being used hard early to get the lead in her All-Stars cut, but then going on to lower her mark to 1:53. Once she had paid the :27.1 early price for command, the daughter of Bar Hopping – Are You Ready (dam of two $390G+ winners) stayed in control the rest of the way, with middle fractions of :56.4 and 1:25.1 going up before Manon came home in :27.4 to cross the wire 2½ lengths ahead of closer Eternal Lee. Manon started only once at two, but she is developing rapidly for Harbor Racing Stable LLC.

In the other cut, Mon Cheval had two Sire Stakes seconds (one to Manon) so far this year, but here she made the winning breakthrough, parlaying a pocket trip into a 2¼ length victory over pacesetter Ebbies Lady. The winning time for the daughter of champions Father Patrick and Shake It Cerry equaled the clocking of 1:54.2 she recorded in a Meadowlands qualifier at two, coming after fractions of :28.1, :57.2, and 1:26. Driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Nancy Takter, coming off a monster day with two-year-olds at The Meadowlands Saturday, combined on Mon Cheval (the only favored All-Stars winner) for Solveig’s Racing Partners.
BELLA BELLINI, DAZZLING REIGN WINNERS IN PA ALL-STARS
Bella Bellini and Dazzling Reign, both winners at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono last Sunday but in different classes, were united this Sunday in each capturing a $37,500 division of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for three-year-old trotting fillies at the northeast Pennsylvania oval.

The Bar Hopping filly Bella Bellini, successful in a PA Sire Stakes last week despite having to go uncovered, again had to overcome first-over duties, but she did so in spectacular fashion in 1:54. 2020 Breeders Crown winner Lady Chaos got command past a :27.4 quarter, and after getting a stroll to the half in :58.1, with Bella Bellini still five lengths behind, the path looked good for Lady Chaos, winner of the other PaSS cut seven days ago. But Dexter Dunn got the Nifty Norman-trained filly underway down the back, and "Bella" uncorked a sizzling own last half of :54.4 - :27 to easily sail past Lady Chaos by 2½ lengths; Anoka Hanover, well-placed on the winner’s back, ruined her chances with a break
After going winless in seven starts at two, Bella Bellini has now put together a 7-5-2-0 tally this season, with the two losses each by only a half length in Sire Stakes legs. Owner David Mc Duffee appears to have a filly fully capable of competing on the national stage.

The Father Patrick filly Dazzling Reign had posted two wins and a second in her last three starts against Stallion Series horses; here she showed he could handle tougher company, including odds-on favorite Love Muffin, while equaling her mark of 1:54.1. The chalk, winner of two straight Sire Stakes before a miscue last week, was used hard to a :26.3 quarter for the top, but she backed the midrace splits down to :56.3 and 1:25.1. Dazzling Reign kept inching up uncovered, and in the end driver Todd McCarthy was able to get her by Love Muffin by a nose for trainer Claude Huckabone III and owner James Crawford IV.

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By PHHA/Pocono
ANDREW MCCARTHY, BRETT PELLING DOUBLE IN POCONO STAKES
Driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Brett Pelling each captured two of the three $30,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania All-Stars event for three-year-old pacing fillies, as Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania welcomed back both Pennsylvania-sired stakes racing and Sunday evening cards.

McCarthy and Pelling hooked up behind the fastest of the trio of winners, the Captaintreacherous filly Rocket Deo, who took the lead later on the first turn and set all the pace. She went on to win by 2½ lengths over pocketsitting stablemate Sweet Gal while taking a mark of 1:53.1 (the track surface, listed as “sloppy” all night, had been moved from “+1” to “+2” before this division of the stake) for Morrison Racing Stables and John Fielding.

McCarthy’s other All-Stars win came behind Flawless, another daughter of Captaintreacherous also making her seasonal debut and also looking good to defeat a resilient Bellucci by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.4. Nancy Takter trains this champion in the Kentucky program last year for Marvin Katz and Sam Goldband.

Brett Pelling’s second stakes success came after a four-horse photo finish as his son Jack piloted the Always B Miki miss Beautiful Roz to success in 1:57, with Big City Daisy, Flower Shops, and Ginger Tree Belle next in line in that order., just a nose off of the horse immediately in front of them. Beautiful Roz, unraced at two, now has five wins and two nose defeats in her burgeoning career for Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable, and Bud Hatfield.

Away from the stakes, deserving of a mention is the Art Major ten-year-old Tam Major A, the fastest pacer of the year at Pocono with a 1:50.2 win last week, and here home first in 1:52.3 in the off going for his fifth straight win against the track's priciest claimers -- and the fifth straight time he will be going to a different home after winning.

Tam Major A provided the meet’s leading driver Matt Kakaley with one of his four wins on the night; George Napolitano Jr., right behind Kakaley in the standings, posted three successes on the night to add to the two he achieved at Philly before heading northward.

Pocono will be in action on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, both cards with 1 p.m. starts. Free Pocono programs are or will be available at www.phha.org.
PA All-Stars start Pocono stake season
May 14
May 7, 2023, by PHHA for Pocono Downs
Wilkes-Barre, PA – The first races of the 2023 stakes season at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania took place on Sunday night (May 7) four $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for three-year-old pacing fillies, and despite a “good” track the miles yielded uniformly quick clockings.
Fastest of all of the All-Star sections was produced by one of the three stakes favorites to come home first, the Stay Hungry filly Relentless Julie, a two-time winner in the Weiss Series who regained her winning ways while reducing her mark to 1:50.4. The filly has shown her best races to come from off the pace, and she again closed strongly for driver Anthony Napolitano in winning by 1½ lengths over Hungry For Kisses for trainer Travis Alexander and Fiddler’s Creek Stables LLC.
One of the other chalk horses to visit Victory Lane was the familiar C Is For Cookie, the Betting Line filly who swept the Weiss Series and here posted her fifth win in a row, responding when asked for speed by Jason Bartlett to equal her mark of 1:51.3, last quarter :27, while three-quarters of a length ahead of Diamondsnpearls. Linda Toscano conditions C Is For Cookie for Birnam Wood Farms.
The other winning favorite was Always B Naughty, a daughter of Always B Miki who was sent to the front by driver Joseph Fonseca and won confidently by 1¼ lengths in 1:51.2, using a :27 last quarter to withstand Hungry For Love. Nancy Taker trains the winner of three straight, and she co-owns her with J L Benson Stables Inc. and R.B.H. Ventures Inc.
The only All-Stars race that saw the favorite not win boiled down to two drivers making their first appearances of the year at Pocono, though they certainly are very familiar to local fans, Dexter Dunn and Tim Tetrick. In this division it was Dunn and the Sweet Lou filly Proud Mary successful in her seasonal bow, though she was extended to turn back Hello Yes Hi and Tetrick by a nose while taking a new mark of 1:51.2. Chris Ryder trains the filly for Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Bottom Line Racing LLC.
TREACHEROUS DRAGON, SILENT CROSSING WIN IN PA ALL-STARS
May 9
PHHA / Pocono
Curtis Salonick Photo

WILKES-BARRE PA – Treacherous Dragon was very impressive in her 2022 debut, taking one of two $35,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for three-year-old pacing fillies Sunday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with Weiss Series champion Silent Crossing winning her sixth straight in the other split.

Tim Tetrick got away midpack in a seven-horse field with Treacherous Dragon, as Sweet Kisses hustled away to get the lead well before a :28 quarter, only to yield to brushing Bet On The Bay in front of the stands, with the latter posting midrace splits of :57.1 and 1:25.2.

The Captaintreacherous miss Treacherous Dragon started an attack midbackstretch and nearing the three-quarters she rode outside the leader, a position she maintained through the turn. Straightened for the stretch, Treacherous Dragon hit a much higher gear and was clear in the blink of an eye, storming home in :26.4 on the clock to complete a 1:52.1 victory by 1¼ lengths over Sweet Kisses, who rallied up the inside to catch Bet On The Bay for the deuce.

Treacherous Dragon now has five career victories and earnings of $317,362. Owned by Hot Lead Farm LLC, Treacherous Dragon is trained by Brett Pelling, who traveled this same divisional stakes trail last year with 2021 Horse of the Year Test Of Faith.

Captaintreacherous got a stakes siring sweep when Silent Crossing nosed out Southwind Java while taking a new mark of 1:52.4. Mark MacDonald sent the streaking filly to the lead then yielded to Southwind Java nearing the :26.4 quarter, with the leader getting a nice rest to a :57 half, then stepping up the pace to 1:24.4 to the three-quarters, burning off the outside opposition.

Silent Crossing went to the Pocono Pike for the stretch drive, but for a long while it didn’t look like she would overhaul her rival. However, Silent Crossing found an extra gear nearing the wire and edged the pacesetter by a nose for trainer Jessica Fallon and owners Hutt Racing Stable and Blake MacIntosh, continuing her remarkable turnaround – she lost the first twelve races of her career, but since has tacked on sixth straight successes.
Last of the 2021 PA All Stars
Aug 30
PHHA/Pocono
The last of the Pennsylvania All-Stars races for the year, with two $35,000 divisions for three-year-old pacing fillies, ahead of their $253,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship here next Saturday. The winners were horses who parlayed rail trips into checks in the Lynch Memorial Championship last Saturday.
The faster winner was the Sweet Lou filly Chase Lounge who led at every call, then flashed home in :27.2 to hold off pocketsitting Milieu Hanover by a neck in a lifetime best 1:50.4. Just a half-length behind Grace Hill in a Sire Stake two starts ago, Chase Lounge was driven today by Tyler Buter, who along with Jason Bartlett had three wins on the card, for trainer Rollie Mallar and owner William Hartt.
In the other section, the Somebeachsomewhere filly Thebeachiscalling, third in the Lynch, followed early brusher Darby Hanover, went on past that one, and retained control to the wire, besting that rival by 1¼ lengths in 1:51, with a :27.1 last quarter. Matt Kakaley had the driving assignment behind the winner of $283,522 for trainer Chris Ryder and Bella Racing LTD.

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By PHHA/Pocono
PAPI GRAD AGAIN A STAR IN SECOND CAREER START

In Papi Grad’s two-race career, the freshman daughter of Papi Rob Hanover – Betterthangraduate has won on both occasions in 1:51.1. On both occasions, she won by 10¼ lengths. And on both occasions, she thrilled fans seeing a potential superstar.

Papi Grad added her second success in one of three $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for two-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday evening at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Driver Brett Miller, a former regular here but making his first Pocono appearance since Breeders Crown Night 2018, reserved his filly in fourth as Sweet Odds yielded the lead to Ballast by the :27.4 quarter, then stayed in as the pacesetter reached the half at :56.1. Miller gave Papi Grad the word nearing the backstretch, and the filly went from four lengths back at the midpoint to a two length lead by the 1:24.1 three-quarters, then smoked home in :27 under a good hold by the driver. More will be heard from this filly, who is trained by Steve Carter for Brent Hopper, Jay Mossbarger, TKO Racing Stable LLC, and SCPStable&FriedlandRacing.

Tim Tetrick has driven a passel of top-grade pacing females for trainer Jim King Jr., so when he chose off a King filly in another All-Stars division, the crowd noted the change and made the Brian Brown-trained, Tetrick-chosen Westwinds a heavy favorite. Their faith was justified, as the Captaintreacherous – Muskoka Hanover miss kept her career record perfect in two starts, lowering her mark to 1:52.4. After early fractions of :28 and :57.3, Tetrick got Westwinds in good second-over position, pacing her own back half in :54.2 while advancing to and past the 1:25 three-quarters to win by 1¼ lengths over pacesetter Daily Double Deo for the partnership of Stambaugh Leeman Stable, Joe Sbrocco, Alan Keith, and Wingfield Brothers LLC.

Captaintreacherous added a second sire credit in the other All-Stars section, as Lily White Hanover (dam Lillian Hanover) benefited from a clever Jason Bartlett drive to make her purse bow a winning one in 1:53.2. Lily White Hanover sat fourth through fractions of :27.1, :56.2, and 1:24.4, then when the pocket horse faded on the far turn Bartlett was able to dip her to the inside from second-over, and the Pocono Pike proved the route of success by a length over Gingertree Brenasu. Andrew Harris trains the $350,000 yearling, who completed an All-Stars sweep by the chalk horses, for himself and his primary owners William Pollock and Bruce Areman.
LYONS LEGEND REMAINS UNBEATEN SUNDAY AT POCONO
Jul 31
PHHA / Pocono

WILKES-BARRE PA – The Stay Hungry – Skinny Dip two-year-old pacing filly Lyons Legend remained undefeated after four purse starts, taking one of two $35,000 divisions of her section’s Pennsylvania All-Stars event in a lifetime best 1:51.4.

After a :27.2 battle for the lead past the quarter, driver Matt Kakaley moved Lyons Legend to the lead, put up middle fractions of :56 and 1:24.2, then finished in hand while keeping pocketsitter Asweetbeachhere 2½ lengths behind. Trained by Jim King Jr. of Shartin N fame, Lyons Legend is owned by Threelyonsracing, and with two PA Sire Stakes wins under her girth already, the budding star filly may be back at Pocono on September 2 for her $250,000 Sire Stakes Championship.

Strange Fruit made the lead before the :28.3 quarter in her All-Stars division, then yielded to favored Ginger Tree Belle and sat in the pocket while the chalk put up midsplits of :56.4 and 1:25.2. The price of pacing went up in the last quarter as these two drew away from the rest, and Strange Fruit, the close second choice, was able to rally into a :27.1 back quarter to break her maiden in 1:52.3 in her second purse start, with the official margin a neck. The daughter of Sweet Lou – Bettor And Better was driven by Scott Zeron for trainer Linda Toscano and the partnership of Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Bottom Line Racing LLC.
FRESHMAN PACING FILLIES IN ALL-STARS AT POCONO
PHHA / Pocono
My Little Captain, already a double Pennsylvania Sire Stakes winner, is perfect in three career starts, all in stakes, after the two-year-old pacing filly captured the last of three $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event during the Sunday twilight card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
The track had just been rerated to “sloppy” after a storm had passed through, but the daughter of Captaintreacherous – My Little Delight was unaffected by the gooey going (she had won a baby Q over a sloppy surface at Philly). Mike Wilder tucked her in fourth then reserved her until later in the backstretch, where she made a quick move to challenge pacesetting Hallelujah Hanover, got the lead in the lane, then held off Dole Whip, racing on her back, by a length, with Hallelujah Hanover finishing third in the 1:54 mile. The very promising filly is trained by Andrew Stafford for EVM Racing LLC.
Captaintreacherous gained a second All-Stars siring credit from Hello Yes Hi (dam Camille), who had finished a good-closing second in Beach Cowgirl’s amazing 1:50.2 Sires win at Pocono. On Sunday Matt Kalaley had her on the top at every call and drew away to win by 2½ lengths over Proud Mary in taking a maiden mark of 1:53.4, last quarter :27.3. Pocono’s leading driver Matt Kakaley drove the Ron Burke trainee for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, M1 Stable LLC, and Jack Piatt II.
Fastest of the three All-Stars winners was the Sweet Lou – Power Pack Hanover baby Absolute Power, who for much of the way sat in the two-hole behind favored Ginger Tree Coco, then powered home in :27.3 to take a new mark of 1:52.3, 2½ lengths to the good of the pacesetter. Scott Zeron sulkysat for the brother team of trainer Tom and owner John Cancelliere.
The Well Said mare Drama Act added to his statistics as one of the top moneywinners of the year by taking a $25,000 distaff handicap pace in 1:52.2 over the off going. The winner of $318,610 already this year made the top before the quarter, repulsed a good first-over challenge by Milieu Hanover, then completed her own back half in :55.1 to leave pocketsitter Shes Pukka N 2¼ lengths behind, with Milieu Hanover holding for third, another three-quarters of a length behind, Mike Wilder got the catch-drive from trainer Ron Burke for The OK Corral, whose mare has taken down $739,922 in her career.
JASON BARTLETT SWEEPS PA ALL-STARS RACES AT POCONO
Jul 26
Jason Bartlett drove the winners of both $35,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania All-Stars contest for two-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

First to visit Victory Lane was the Captaintreacherous – Sweetest Emotion filly Bermuda, who posted a 1:53.3 mark in her first lifetime purse success. Bartlett had wanted to leave from post three with his baby, but favored Jazzed from the rail and No Foolin in post two left hard to protect forward spots, so Bartlett took back to third and sat while Jazzed put up a quarter of :27.4 and then a soft half of :57.4. Bermuda and Bartlett went up first-over and paced their own third quarter in :27 to gain contention, and in the stretch the winner was able to wear down the pacesetter by a half-length for trainer Nancy Takter and Diamond Creek Racing.

Trainer Jenn Bongiorno, 55 minutes before Water Sports Teen put in his stunning Adios elimination victory, enjoyed another stakes success, with the Always B Miki – Gallie Beach miss Hit Me Up in 1:54. Hit Me Up and Bartlett had to work hard to wrest the lead near the :28 opener, but Hit Me Up got a rest to the half in :58.1, and then back fractions of :55.4 - :27.2 were just too much for her opposition. Hit Me Up now has a record of two wins and one second in her brief career for owner Joshua Jay Graber (also the owner of Water Sports Teen).

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BABY FILLY TROTTERS IN POCONO PA ALL-STARS
Jul 18
PHHA / Pocono
WILKES-BARRE PA – Tyler Buter (career driving wins: 4302) and Cody Schadel (career training wins: 4) each had two winners during Tuesday afternoon’s four $30,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania All-Stars event for two-year-old trotting fillies at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Buter guided the fastest freshman filly in the International Moni – Box Of Gifts miss International Gift, who had made a break in a Sire Stakes in her first purse start but who today was on her best behavior while winning in 1:56.2, posting identical halves on the engine. Trainer George Ducharme co-owns the swift miss with Nicola Oliva.

Tyler also brought the 17-1 shot Hop To It wide from last at the three-quarters and avoided inside stretch confusion, defeating favored Nora Pearl by a nose in 1:59.3 to add a first to the second in her other career purse start. The Bar Hopping – Spellyuptothebar filly is trained by Donna Marshall for Robert and Kenneth Mc Nerney along with Glen Vetrano.

The 21-year-old Schadel has been driving at the state’s fairs for several years now, but he has had his training license for less than a month now. Tuesday he had success with Loveyouinbunches, a Fordham Road – Lovebeinglucky distaff who has now added an All-Stars division to a 1:58 Meadows Sire Stakes triumph and is undefeated in three purse races, with his father Todd taking the filly coast-to-coast here in 1:58.2 - :58 – 28.4. Todd and Christine Schadel co-own the talented baby with Rick and Regina Beinhauer.

Another daughter of International Moni, Jakarta Hanover (dam Janderson) was Cody’s second stakes success story, with Andy Miller catch-driving her to a 1:58 win, setting a slowish pace and then sprinting home in :28.1. Second in a Sire Stakes in her only other purse outing, Jakarta Hanover is owned by Todd Schadel and Jim Simpson.
LONGSHOTS ABOUND IN PA ALL-STARS ACTION AT POCONO
PHHA / Pocono
Four $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for two-year-old trotting fillies were featured on Monday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, and after a favorite started the stakes action off, it was a longshot player’s delight the rest of the way.

There was no hint in the air of what was to come when the Father Patrick – Evelyn filly Vanessa J won as a heavy favorite while taking a maiden mark of 1:57.3 in an easy 4¼ length victory. Tim Tetrick guided the winner, who had been fourth in a PA Sire Stakes in her only other purse start, for owner/trainer Lucas Wallin, who has had quite the profitable relationship with Tetrick as of late.

Heavy favorite Angelpedia made the lead in another All-Stars division, but then she made a break past the eighth, leaving the race wide open. In the end, it was the International Moni – Possessed By Lindy filly Pembroke Moni who made the best rally in the last quarter, scoring her second career victory in a 1:58.3 mile by 1¼ lengths for meet-leading driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Mark Ford, and owner William Varney. The first four finishers in this race went off at 16-1, 26-1, 6-1, and 99-1.

David Miller won the other two races, although not getting the pari-mutuel respect a Hall of Famer is usually due. He guided the fastest All-Stars winner of the day, the Donato Hanover – Movitational miss Portulaca, who won a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes in her only other purse start and here lowered her mark to 1:56.3 at a truly generous 14-1. The other Sire Stakes winner in the first round, Fashion Annie, was odds-on from the rail vs. Portulaca’s starting from the outside post seven, but her own :56.2 late charge landed her a neck behind the winner, trained by Kathleen La Montagne, co-owner with Donald La Montagne.

All of this was mere All-Stars pari-mutuel prelude to the $108.80 winner Broadway Sensation, who took a maiden mark of 1:58.4 in a field of six where the three favorites all made miscues, and the top three finishers were 53-1, 18-1, and 22-1. Broadway Sensation is a daughter of Bar Hopping – Broadway Woman who is trained by Steve LeBlanc for LeBlanc Racing Inc., Douglas Johnson, and Glenn Dyke, and was 1½ lengths clear at the finish.

In fact, Pocono had a second explosion of the tote board three races after Broadway Express won, as TSM Batman came up the deep Pocono Pike to post a $132.60 bomber mutuel for driver Ridge Warren, trainer Bob Krenitsky Jr. and owner Ted Tomson. Although this result was an “upset” in the usual sense of the word, deep readers of the form noticed that on June 13, TSM Batman won and paid $99.20 to win. He becomes the first horse to post two $50+ prices in the 2022 meet; also, the last time there were two $100 winners on the same card at Pocono was nearly four years ago, on August 11, 2018.
DUNN WINS BOTH POCONO ALL-STAR RACES; MON CHEVAL IMPRESSES IN DEBUT
The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono featured two $35,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for two-year-old trotting fillies on its Sunday twilight card, and a most noteworthy career debut was made by Mon Cheval, who came home in :57 - :28 to stop the timer in 1:54.3.

At 1-9, Mon Cheval was expected to do well for several reasons: she had won two consecutive baby races before her debut, one in 1:54.2 at The Meadowlands, and she has among the most royal of pedigrees, Father Patrick – Shake It Cerry, a pairing which earned over $5 million, a Trotter of the Year award, and four seasonal divisional honors, not to mention their post-racetrack careers. Dexter Dunn drove her as if she were the best, and she certainly was for trainer Nancy Takter (the defending Driver and Trainer of the Year combining) and the noted Solveig’s Racing Partners.

Dunn also won the other All-Stars division, but the victory with the 10-1 Cantab Hall – Dixieland Delite miss Dixiechick Hanover was not as predictable. This section had all three winners from the first leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes in it, but all three fell victim to losing gait, one of them the favored Mimi Ocean Hanover while on the lead while on the far turn. Dunn had Dixiechick Hanover moving well uncovered, and they got around the trouble and to a lead she maintained to the wire while breaking her maiden in 1:56.2. Lucas Wallin trains the winner for Vestmarka AB and Triple Play Trotters LLC.

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