The Meadows: Dunn doubles, Philly Hanover sizzles in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes

Philly Hanover set a new stakes record of 1:49 2/5 and just missed the track record by two-fifths of a second in winning one of three Pennsylvania Sire Stakes splits for sophomore pacing fillies this afternoon at The Meadows. Dexter Dunn, who drove Philly Hanover, had a stakes double as he also prevailed with Odds On St Lucie. The remaining section went to Sylph Hanover, the defending sire stakes champion for the division.

Racing in the second $55,758 sire stakes showdown, Philly Hanover got away fourth from post six but brushed to the lead at the 54 4/5 half. She then used a 54 3/5 final half, capped off with a 27 2/5 last quarter, to win by 3 3/4 lengths over Abigail Dawn (Aaron Merriman). Sweet Heaven (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) was third.

Trainer Ron Coyne Jr. also co-owns Philly Hanover, a daughter of Captaintreacherous, with partner Blair Corbeil. This was her fifth career victory, and she has now earned $202,414. She was the 2-5 favorite and paid $2.80 to win.

“That’s her biggest, strongest effort to date,” Coyne said. “She settled there a little bit and waited for the dust to clear and was obviously pretty strong. She had a good week, so I’m glad it showed up.”

Dunn got it done again in the final $56,158 grouping with Odds On St Lucie. Settling fourth, she watched a wild scramble for the early lead to the 25 4/5 opening quarter and remained in that spot to the 54 1/5 half. Dunn then sent Odds On St Lucie on the attack first-over on the way to the 1:22 2/5 three-quarters, and she would clear leader Bestseller Hanover (Dave Palone) on the far turn. From there, Odds On St Lucie opened up a gap on the field, and although she slowed up through the lane, she remained in front, winning by three-quarters of a length over a charging Pretty N Fast (Wrenn Jr.) in a 1:50 4/5 mile. Pace Baby Pace (Matt Kakaley) collected third.

Odds On St Lucie is a daughter of Sweet Lou trained by Tony Alagna for owner Odds On Racing. Odds On St Lucie is now a six-time winner from 11 tries, and she has pocketed $132,286. Dispatched as the public choice at 2-5, she returned $2.80 to win.

Back in the opening $56,158 flight, Sylph Hanover (Kakaley) popped out of third beyond the 26 3/5 first quarter, took over the top spot, hit the half in 54 3/5 and the three-quarters in 1:23, and drew off in a 27 4/5 final kicker to prevail by three lengths in 1:50 4/5. Rockn Philly (Dunn) was next, followed by Afraid Not Hanover (Palone).

The victorious daughter of Somebeachsomewhere is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., William Switala, James Martin, and Joseph Critelli. She made her fifth appearance in the winner's circle, and she has now put away $371,234. She was sent off as the 9-5 favorite and paid $5.60 to win.

“That was impressive,” Burke said. “She’s turned things around. Maybe we should have gone to the Fan Hanover, but this gets us points for the PASS final and preps her good for the Lynch.”

--quotes courtesy of The Meadows--