Harrah's Philadelphia: Lyons Legend, Caviart Belle strike in PA Sire Stakes

Lyons Legend is now five-for-five thus far in her career following a 1:50 2/5 win in the first of two $83,361 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Thursday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia. Caviart Belle took the other flight in the same clocking and in similar fashion.

Driven by Tim Tetrick, Lyons Legend moved out of third past the 26 3/5 opening quarter and took over the top spot from Miraculous Deo (Todd McCarthy) prior to the half, which was put on the board in 55 seconds. Lyons Legend didn't have an anxious moment from that point as she rolled through three-quarters in 1:22 3/5 and then closed in 27 4/5 to tally by 6 1/2 lengths over Sweet Gal (Yannick Gingras). Miraculous Deo ended up third.

A daughter of Stay Hungry bred by Stonegate Standardbred Farms and trained by Jim King Jr. for owner Threelyonsracing, Lyons Legend has earned $115,981 to go with her undefeated status. A $33,000 buy at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale, she was the 3-5 favorite and paid $3.40 to win.

In the other split Sarasota Hanover (Scott Zeron) shot to the front from post seven and got to the quarter in 26 4/5, but driver Yannick Gingras sent Caviart Belle out of the three-hole coming off the first turn and was the new leader by the time the 55 2/5 half was reached. From there, Caviart Belle would be unchallenged to three-quarters in 1:22 4/5 and used a 27 3/5 final kicker to win by half a length. My Girl Ej (Chris Page) went first-over out of fourth heading to three-quarters, shfited into the passing lane entering the stretch, and closed well to finish second, and Pass And Stow (Dexter Dunn) checked in third.

The victorious Captaintreacherous filly was sent out by trainer Nancy Takter for owner Caviart Farms. The Hanover Shoe Farms-bred was a $375,000 purchase at the 2022 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and has a record of 3-2-0 from five attempts to go with a bankroll of $82,838. She was also sent off at 3-5 and also returned $3.40 to win.

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Trainer Brett Pelling had a double in Pennsylvania Stallion Series action for the group, scoring with Rocket Deo (by Captaintreacherous and bred by Deo Volente Farms LLC. and T L P Stable) in 1:54 for driver Scott Zeron and owners Morrison Racing Stables and John Fielding and with Duffy's Opinion (by Captain Crunch and bred by Let It Ride Stables) in 1:54 1/5 for driver Todd McCarthy and owner David McDuffee.

Also prevailing in the Stallion Series were Miki In Luv (by Always B Miki and bred by Joseph Davino, Brad Shackman, Drennan Stable LLC. and Anthony Perretti Farm LLC.) in 1:53 2/5 for driver Corey Callahan, co-owner/trainer Ron Coyne Jr. and co-owners Blair Corbeil, Richard Carney and Farrell Carney, and Fight Not Flight (by Sweet Lou and bred by co-owners Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Bottom Line Racing LLC.) in 1:53 1/5 for driver Dexter Dunn, trainer Travis Alexander and co-owner Alexander M Spacc Stable.