Pocono: EL Ideal, Amigo Volo cruise in PA Sire Stakes

EL Ideal and Amigo Volo, both sent off at 1-5, didn't let down their backers in the two $95,367 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions that were highlighted on Saturday evening at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

In the first grouping Swiss House Onfire (Dexter Dunn) shot out from post eight and was on top at the 27 1/5 opening quarter, but fellow Ake Svanstedt trainee EL Ideal (Svanstedt driving) popped pocket to take control past that point. EL Ideal was unstressed to the half in 56 seconds and the three-quarters in 1:24 1/5 and only had to hold off his stablemate in the lane, which he was able to do pretty easily, winning by a length and a half in 1:53. Hell Patrol (Mattias Melander) advanced from sixth to third in the final panel.

A colt by Muscle Hill, EL Ideal is owned by Emp Invest Oy and this was his fifth career victory. EL Ideal, who is not eligible to this Saturday's Hambletonian eliminations, has now earned $565,712 and returned $2.40 to win.

Amigo Volo (Dexter Dunn), who is a Hambletonian eligible, took the lead beyond the 27 4/5 first quarter in the other division and then hit the half in 56 3/5 and the three-quarters in 1:24 2/5. Pocket-sitter Patriarch Hanover (Matt Kakaley) was still with Amigo Volo on the far turn, but then Dunn stepped on the gas in the lane and Amigo Volo accelerated strongly, trotting away with every stride to win by 5 1/2 lengths in a career-best 1:52. Patriarch Hanover did hold second over DD's Redemption (Tyler Buter).

One of the winter book favorites for the Hambletonian, Amigo Volo is now two-for-four in the win column in 2020 and has eight career triumphs. A gelding by Father Patrick, Amigo Volo is trained by Nifty Norman for owners Pinske Stables and David J. Miller, and the winner's share of the purse boosted his bankroll to $684,040. He paid $2.60 to win.