Pocono: Andersson Hanover, I'm A Hugger shine in Simpson Memorial splits

The favorites had a rough time of it in each of the two $47,550 divisions of the Davidia Hanover, the John Simpson Sr. Stake for 2-year-old trotting fillies, on Tuesday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, with photo finishes going to a 11-1 shot (the second choice) over a 21-1 proposition in one cut and a horse sent off at 7-1 just ahead of a 12-1 shot in the other section.

The Captain Corey-Angel Eyes Hanover filly Andersson Hanover stayed undefeated in her four lifetime starts at Pocono while taking a new mark of 1:56 2/5 in the quicker division. Patrick Ryder, driving for trainer-father Chris Ryder and owner John Mc Keon Jr., moved the victorious filly to the lead past the quarter, but her retaining supremacy looked to be in trouble as 1-20 favorite Patty's Girl came uncovered early in the backstretch and got fractionally ahead. But the first-up freshman soon lapsed from gait, leaving Andersson Hanover a clear path to the finish, which she maintained by half a length over the late hard charge of Declan Shea.

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The Tactical Landing-Made It Happen miss I'm A Hugger left, yielded, then came raw past the half against favored pace-setter Daringly. The duo battled through the turn, and in the lane it was I'm A Hugger who forged to command, then hugged on to the lead strongly to withstand Eternal Light, still fifth in mid-stretch, by a neck in 1:56 3/5, a lifetime record. Braxten Boyd guided the freshman filly for trainer Ray Schnittker and owners Daisy Acres and Vincent Ali Jr.

The freshman trotting misses' male counterparts competed in a $16,000 overnight event, with the Greenshoe-Fashion Spooner colt Black Tesla rewarding the bettors' faith in him with an authoritative victory in 1:56 3/5, the clocking a lifetime-best as he won his second straight start. A 28 2/5 last quarter saw the winner extend his lead from a half-length at the stretch call to 8 1/2 lengths at the finish for driver Ridge Warren, trainer Nicklas Andersen, and owner Wayne Stoltzfus

Meet driving leader Tyler Buter notched three victories on the afternoon, including one for top trainer Ron Burke, but he was one behind Pocono's second-leading driver for the meet, Anthony Napolitano.

Racing at Pocono resumes on Saturday at 1 p.m. (EDT); featured will be a $27,500 fast-class handicap pace which will contain the winners of this class for the last four weeks: Always A Thrill, Ruthless Hanover, Jolimont N, and Splash Brother, starting with the most recent winner. Bettors will find a Superfecta carryover in the first race of the day and a double carryover of over $4,000 in the Hi-5 in the last race of the day.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--