The Meadows: No dethroning the favorites in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes splits

There were no surprises in the trio of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Saturday afternoon at The Meadows as the three public choices - Demon Onthe Hill, Prospect Hill, and Osterc - all delivered victories.

Demon Onthe Hill (Yannick Gingras) posted his third straight PaSS triumph in the first $60,196 split, rolling to a 1:56 3/5 triumph. He moved into the lead past the 29 1/5 opening quarter, rated kind middle-half stations of 59 and 1:27 3/5, and kicked home to a well-measured three-quarters of a length win over Klutzy (Andy Miller). Fashion Possessed (David Miller) finished in the third position.

“My approach was like it is for every other race,” said Gingras, who was driving Demon Onthe Hill for the first time. “I just wanted to see how the race would go. He got to the front easy and won from there. They didn’t challenge him early, but he’s a nice horse and would have won either way.”

Marcus Melander trains the victorious Muscle Hill colt for owner Vicky Trotting Inc. Demon Onthe Hill, who has earned $83,669 to go with his three-for-four record, was bred by Walnridge Farm Inc. and David Meirs II and fetched $125,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. Demon Onthe Hill is out of the Garland Lobell mare Sabrina Hall (1:58 4/5, $45,224), making him a full brother to the likes of True Blue Stride (1:51 3/5, $214,241). Demon Onthe Hill paid $2.60 to win.

In the second $60,596 grouping Prospect Hill (Andy Miller) also extended a win streak, scoring his fourth victory in-a-row thanks to a 1:56 2/5 effort. Prospect Hill advanced up on the outside to gain command passing the 28 4/5 opening quarter, and after a half in 57 4/5 and a three-quarters in 1:27 1/5, trotted away from the field to defeat Flippen Creek (Marcus Miller) by 4 1/4 lengths. White Tiger (Anthony MacDonald) was the third-place finisher.

“Most of his races, he’s been on the front — not that he has to be,” Andy Miller said. “I’m sure somewhere along the line, he’ll have to follow and come off cover, which is fine for him. He’s pretty sharp right now, and for where he’s at, where pretty happy with him.”

Another Muscle Hill colt, Prospect Hill is trained by Julie Miller for owner Stroy Inc. Third to eventual Peter Haughton Memorial winner Don't Let'em in his debut on June 29 at the Meadowlands, Prospect Hill has been undefeated in Pennsylvania since and has banked $100,069 in his five attempts. Prospect Hill, who brought $130,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale, was bred by Barbara Matthews and is out of the Crazed mare Louise Kemp (1:54 4/5, $77,923). Prospect Hill was also dispatched at 1-5 and returned $2.60 to win.

Gingras doubled up in the final $60,596 section, guiding Osterc to his second consecutive win in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action. Osterc was pocketed behind Mass Fortune K (Charlie Norris) through stations of 28 1/5, 57 4/5, and 1:28, and appeared like he might be in trouble when Stonebridge Symba (MacDonald) made front from first-up in the lane. Osterc used the passing lane to pull off some late heroics, though, rallying by Stonebridge Symba in the shadow of the wire to win by a head in 1:57 4/5. Mass Fortune K faded to third.

“I thought it was too late. I thought I got beat actually,” Gingras said. “There was plenty of opportunity to pull, but I thought I was following a good horse.”

A Cantab Hall colt, Osterc is trained by Jimmy Takter for owners/breeders Christina Takter and Goran Falk. Osterc is now three-time winner from four efforts, and he has pocketed $69,603. Osterc is out of the unraced Muscles Yankee mare Oh Oh Hereshecomes, a half-sister to the exported The Bank (Donato Hanover, 1:50 4/5, $1,110,300. Osterc was the even-money choice and paid $4.20 to win.

--quotes courtesy of The Meadows--