Harrah's Philadelphia: Allywag Hanover romps in final Meadowlands Pace prep

The conditions were far from ideal as the track was lashed by Tropical Storm Fay throughout the card, but Meadowlands Pace finalist Allywag Hanover impressed anyway, winning a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing colts and geldings on Friday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia in 1:50 4/5.

Allywag Hanover, who took a bye to next Saturday's Meadowlands Pace final, landed in fourth from post six in the second of five splits and was sent first-over by driver Tim Tetrick past a 56 second half-mile marker. Allywag Hanover advanced quickly after being sent two-wide, and he would clear leader Force N Fury (Dexter Dunn) before the 1:23 4/5 three-quarters. Afer taking over, Allywag Hanover easily dealt with a first-over bid from Sombodyitreasure (Andrew McCarthy) on the final bend, then drew off in the lane while in-hand, winning the $39,432 contest by 5 3/4 lengths. Sombodyitreasure held second, with Lou's A Pansy (Scott Zeron) third.

A colt by Captaintreacherous, Allywag Hanover is trained by Brett Pelling for owner Allywag Stable. This was Allywag Hanover's sixth career win, he pushed his earnings to $64,199, and he is now three-for-three in 2020 since joining the Pelling stable. He was the 1-9 favorite and paid $2.10 to win.

While unsuccessful in Allywag Hanover's event, Dunn won the next two sections in first-over style. In the third flight he clicked with 3-1 shot Sandbetweenmytoes, who wore down leader and Meadowlands Pace finalist Chief Mate (George Napolitano Jr.) in the lane to prevail by three-parts of a length in 1:50 4/5, and then came right back with 6-5 choice Tito Rocks, who out-fought pace-setter Sea Of Life (McCarthy) to tally by a neck in 1:52 1/5.

Sandbetweenmytoes, a gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere, is a Fashion Farms homebred trained by Jim Campbell. He won for the third time in 12 attempts, has now pocketed $54,713, and returned $8.20 to win.

Robert Cleary trains Tito Rocks, a Sweet Lou gelding, for owner Royal Wire Products Inc. Tito Rocks broke his maiden in his ninth attempt, boosted his bankroll to $46,587, and paid $4.60 to win.

Upsets occurred in the remaining two sire stakes tilts, with 12-1 shot The Greek Freak (Matt Kakaley) coming up the passing lane from the pocket to take the first test by three lengths over Diamond Head (Simon Allard) in a 1:52 mile, and 7-1 offering No Lou Zing (Josert Fonseca) rallying up the passing lane after an inside trip in mid-pack to win the finale by half a length over Captain Groovy (Mark MacDonald) in 1:53.

A Captaintreacherous gelding, The Greek Freak is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Piatt Racing LLC., J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The Greek Freak, named after Milawukee Bucks superstar and NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, is now a two-time winner from 12 tries, and he has earned $43,250. He returned $27.20 to win.

Nancy Takter trains No Lou Zing, a gelding by Sweet Lou, for owners 3 Brothers Stables, Rojan Stables, and Caviart Farms. After a winless rookie campaign, No Lou Zing has three wins and a second in four trips behind the gate in 2020, and he has pocketed $31,816. He paid $17.00 to win.