Pocono: Battle of 3YO filly pace titans in Lynch Memorial won by Twin B Joe Fresh

Twin B Joe Fresh picked up her third win in-a-row, capturing Saturday's (Aug. 19) $250,000 James M. Lynch Memorial for 3-year-old female pacers by two lengths over Charleston in 1:49 4/5 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Sweet Amira finished third in the race, which saw co-favorite Sylvia Hanover go off-stride on the final turn as her 13-race victory streak came to an end.

Twin B Joe Fresh, who shared 4-5 odds with Sylvia Hanover, and driver Dexter Dunn went to the front from post four and reached the opening quarter in 27 2/5. Sylvia Hanover, who was fourth, launched a first-over bid with five-eighths of a mile to go and pulled even with Twin B Joe Fresh as the pair raced down the backstretch following a half in 56 2/5.

The battle continued into the final turn, but Sylvia Hanover's miscue left Twin B Joe Fresh alone on the front. The filly fended off Charleston from there for her fifth triumph in eight races this season.

"We had a good draw and we wanted to use it," Dunn said. "She's such a versatile filly. You can get her out of the gate, and she will do whatever you want her to do. We did get a good breather (in the second quarter). She came back to me nicely.

"Obviously, we had Sylvia bearing down our back down the backstretch. I guess it was a little lucky for us she made a break, but my filly was still traveling great at the time. She's a powerful girl and she knows her job. It's a great win for her and the team."

Twin B Joe Fresh is a daughter of Roll With Joe-Fresh Breeze owned by trainer Chris Ryder, Dunn, Peter Trebotica, and Barry Spak. The Brittany Farms-bred filly has won 13 of 18 career races and earned $911,748.

"It's always different when you own them, especially with Chris and Pete and the team," Dunn said. "It's very special."

The victory was Ryder's third in the Lynch. He won in 2019 with Stonebridge Soul and in 2013 with I Luv The Nitelife.

Twin B Joe Fresh paid $3.80 to win.

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DRF Harness editor Derick Giwner caught up with the connections of Sylvia Hanover after the race, and it was reported that she hit a knee, which caused her break. She will race next in the Simcoe at Woodbine Mohawk Park and skip the Jugette.

Front Page Story won the $125,000 Lynch Consolation I in 1:50 2/5. High Fashion Star finished second and Racin Hungry was third. Front Page Story was driven by Tim Tetrick for trainer Mark Steacy and owner Hudson Standardbred Stable. The White Birch Farm-bred daughter of Captaintreacherous-Wenditions has won three of 11 races this year and three of 19 lifetime, banking $144,492.

The winner of the $75,000 Lynch Consolation II was Mollop Hanover in 1:51 1/5. Lisa Lane was second and Treacherous Penny third. The Hanover Shoe Farms-bred daughter of Betting Line-Mayhem Seelster was driven by James MacDonald for trainer Anthony Beaton and owners West Wins Stable, Dumain Haven Farm, and Eric Good. Unraced at age 2, Mollop Hanover has won six of 10 starts and earned $74,850.