Harrah's Philadelphia: Moonshiner Hanover, Meteoric post Pennsylvania Sire Stakes victories

Moonshiner Hanover and Meteoric both picked up their first Pennsylvania Sire Stakes victories of the season after scoring in the pair of divisions for 3-year-old trotting colts Sunday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia.

The opening split went for a purse of $70,715, and Moonshiner Hanover, driven by Andy Miller, led through fractions of 27 4/5, 56 4/5, and 1:24 2/5 on his way to a lifetime-best 1:53 3/5 clocking. Snowstorm Hanover (Tyler Buter) finished in the second position, and favored Sir John F (Yannick Gingras) came in third after following the eventual winner from the pocket throughout.

An Andover Hall colt, Moonshiner Hanover is co-owned by trainer Chris Beaver along with Synerco Ventures Inc., and Bill Manes. This was the third lifetime win for Moonshiner Hanover, who finished second to Walner in last year's Breeders Crown, and he has now earned $379,481. He was the 7-2 second favorite and returned $9.60 to win.

In the other $71,115 section, Meteoric (Andrew McCarthy) took the lead past the 27 1/5 opening quarter, then was challenged on the outside by Stealth Hanover (Francisco Del Cid) at the 55 2/5 half. Stealth Hanover was able to get the lead on the outside, but he couldn't completely clear Meteoric, and that clogged up the outer tier as Meteoric drove on and opened up a 2 1/2 length lead at the 1:23 3/5 three-quarters. Meteoric then kicked home in 30 seconds flat to seal the 1:53 3/5 victory, defeating Muscles Jared (Chris Lems) by 2 1/4 lengths. Shake It Off Lindy (Simon Allard) was third.

Meteoric is a gelding by Explosive Matter trained by Richie Johnson for owners Mahlon Martin and David Hoover. Meteoric is now a five-time winner in his career, and he has banked $124,268. Dispatched at 13-1, he paid $28.80 to win.