WILKES-BARRE, PA – In the three divisions of the third preliminary leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakesfor three-year-old pacing fillies Saturday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, winners Kissin In The Sand, Sansovina Hanover, and Alexa's Power all greatly helped their chances of reaching their divisional Championship, to take place on September 2 at Pocono.
Kissin In The Sand, of course, has battled with Youaremycandygirl for divisional bragging rights for the last several weeks, and many Pocono fans thought her very hard journey on the rim in winning the Lynch Championship during Sun Stakes Saturday on June 30 to be the outstanding performance of that evening.
The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere had it much easier on Saturday, as driver Scott Zeron tucked her third early, then moved to the lead in front of the stands, with the pair pacing home in 54.4 – 27 to be three lengths clear at the end of a 1:50.3 mile.
The Nancy Johansson trainee, owned by Marvin Katz and the Hatfield Stables, now has earnings of $403,822 with an 8-5-3-0 scorecard this year and a lifetime tally of 12 wins and $634,997 in winnings.
When Youaremycandygirl nosed out Kissin In The Sand in the Shady Daisy at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day, just a neck back in third, with the same 1:48.2 clocking as the first two, was another daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, Alexa's Power, so it seems appropriate that that filly could dominate her Sire Stakes field, winning in 1:50.4.
Tim Tetrick set sail with his filly early and the pair went right down the pike, blitzing to the wire in 54.3 – 27.1 to check home four lengths to the good of previous double Sire Stake winner Sidewalk Dancer. Jim Campbell trains the winner of $319,776, who took a new mark, for Jeffrey and Michael Snyder.
While the other two winners had had a second in their only Sire Stakes showing prior to tonight, Sansovina Hanover raced in both prior legs and finished third. But Sansovina Hanover and driver Andrew McCarthy brought their "A" game to Pocono, going first-over against the other previous Sire Stakes two-time winner, Serene Stride, and then leaving her behind the last 1/8 to be 3¼ lengths in front at the finish.
Completing a sweep for sire Somebeachsomewhere, Sansovina Hanover recorded both her first win of the year and a new personal best, raising her earnings to $175,160 for trainer Ron Burke and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC; Silva, Purnel & Libby; Michelle Yanek; and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
The veteran Bettor's Delight gelding Bettor's Edge raised his career earnings to $2,161,456 as he won the $21,500 top conditioned pace, holding off the stretch surge of Music Is Art by a half-length in 1:50.3. Jim Morrill Jr. guided the pacer to Victory Lane for the 43rd time as he won for trainer Jennifer Lappe, who is also co-owner with Robert Santagata.
Tomorrow night at Pocono, the fillies' Stallion Series counterparts go to the gate in three divisions. In their previous two preliminaries, there have been 10 divisions and 10 different winners; eight of those winners will be in Sunday's contest, hoping to solidify themselves slots in their Championship event.
From the PHHA/Pocono Downs