What a difference a year makes. That's the conclusion one can make from looking at the lack of form from a pair of sophomores that will see action in the Weiss Series on Saturday afternoon. Both World Of Wishes and Bettor's Ticket were likely not developed enough to prosper as juveniles in 2024, but the former, already a back-to-back Weiss winner and the latter, a potential star judging from a pair of Pocono qualifiers, seem primed for success as sophomores. "He had some colt soreness last year," said Chris Ryder when asked about World Of Wishes, the fastest leg winner to date in the Weiss Series for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers. Following a pair of qualifiers World Of Wishes made his debut on March 22 at the Meadowlands and faded after sitting a pocket trip. "He choked down," said Ryder. "He got a bit aggressive. He wasn't like that in the qualifiers, but he got grabby in the race." A few equipment changes were made, but World Of Wishes was still a bit of a handful in his Weiss series opening round division, and driver Patrick Ryder had to use him a few times to gain control, eventually powering off to a 1:51 mile, a solid effort in only his second career start. "I guess I was a little surprised by the time of the race," the trainer said. "But he always showed speed training down." World Of Wishes returned for round two on April 5, and this time was able to win on the front-end while crawling around the track, scoring in a well-rated 1:56 mile in effortless fashion. "I think the track was just way off after the rain," said Chris Ryder of the five second difference between leg victories. A son of Ryder's own Bettor's Wish, World Of Wishes looks for his third straight preliminary victory on Saturday (race 7) and has the advantage of the pole position against six rivals in the $20,000 event. Trainer Cory Stratton will debut Bettor's Ticket, a daughter of Bettor's Wish who made six starts as a freshman and never hit the board but appears to have come around nicely in her second season at the track. "She's a totally different horse," said Stratton of the filly that qualified in 1:53 4/5 with a final quarter in 27 2/5 on March 26 in preparation for the Weiss Series. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter "Last year I thought a lot of her, and she raced well finishing fourth for Andy McCarthy in her first race at The Meadows. He liked her a lot," said Stratton. "But she didn't improve after that. "This year she's bigger and stronger and definitely more mature," continued Stratton on Bettor's Ticket, who drew post three in the first leg of the Weiss for sophomore pacing fillies (race 11) on Saturday. Stratton has Bettor's Ticket geared for the Weiss, as well as the lucrative Pennsylvania Sire Stakes program. "We also put her in the Jugette," said the Ohio native. Ryder is excited about Bettor's Wish's second crop. Not only is it significantly larger than his first in New Jersey, but it appears to be more clearly reflecting the characteristics the multiple Dan Patch Award winner showed when racing in the Ryder stable. "They are definitely improving with age," Ryder said. "And they want to do it." Desire is always an important cog in winning horse races, and thus far World Of Wishes has shown the speed and willingness to achieve. "Hopefully he keeps getting better," said Ryder when asked if he thought World Of Wishes would go on to capture the Weiss final on April 19. "There are a lot of good horses in there," said Ryder. "They are going to mix it up, so we'll see how it goes." Ryder has four Bettor's Wish-sired 2-year-olds in training and likes a pair. He also has another sophomore pacing colt that he believes has a chance to be a stakes winner in Twisted Destiny. "He won the Stallion Series final last year in a faster time than the Sire Stakes went in," said Ryder of Twisted Destiny's 1:51 victory at Harrah's Philadelphia on September 8. Twisted Destiny closed out his campaign with a 1:51 4/5 effort in the Reynolds at Tioga. The ninth foal from the $1.8 million winning mare Tug River Princess, Twisted Destiny made his first qualifying start of the year at Harrah's Philadelphia on Tuesday (April 8) and breezed a 1:55 1/5 mile effortlessly on a cold morning. "We've got him staked to the Messenger," said Ryder of Twisted Destiny, one of three supplements and 37 eligible for the Triple Crown contest at Yonkers slated for June 27. Pocono hosts 16 races on Saturday, with five divisions of the opening round of the Weiss Series for sophomore pacing fillies and four divisions for the third leg of the Weiss for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers. First post is 1:00 p.m.