Pocono: Evaluate quickest in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for sophomore trotting colts

Evaluate sped to a 1:51 4/5 national-season's best mile in the first of three Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old colt trotters on Saturday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Driven by Corey Callahan in the $56,830 event, Evaluate came first-up from third past the 55 4/5 half, battled with leader Captain Morgan (Marcus Miller) to the 1:24 2/5 three-quarters and into the lane, and pulled clear late to win by a length and a quarter in the quick mile, which also lowered Evaluate's lifetime mark from 1:55 1/5. Captain Morgan and Make It A Double (Andy Miller) completed the top-three finishers.

An Andover Hall colt, Evaluate is trained by Marcus Melander for owner Stall TZ Inc. This was Evaluate's third win from six career starts, and he has now earned $67,095. Coming off a second-place finish in PASS competition at The Meadows, Evaluate was the 7-2 second choice and paid $9.20 to win.

In the second $57,230 flight, last year's Peter Haughton Memorial winner You Know You Do (Yannick Gingras) kicked off his sophomore season with a 1:53 2/5 decision. He went into the lead past the 27 2/5 first quarter, hit the half in 57, and got to three-quarters in 1:25 with a first-up Moosonee (George Napolitano Jr.) challenging. Moosonee kept the pressure on around the final bend as well, but You Know You Do widened in the lane, reporting home a length and a half to the good. Scirocco Rob (Callahan) rallied from sixth to third in the final quarter.

Jimmy Takter trains You Know You Do, a Muscle Hill colt, for owners Howard Taylor, Order By Stable, Bud Hatfield, and Mkatz Alibfeld Sgoldband. This was You Know You Do's sixth lifetime win, and he has now put away $403,021. He was the 3-5 public choice and returned $3.40 to win.

Whats The Word gave Callahan another trip to the winner's circle in the $57,230 PASS nightcap, prevailing in 1:53 2/5. He took charge from Hill Street (Gingras) past the 27 4/5 first quarter, and after middle-half stations of 57 1/5 and 1:25 3/5, Whats The Word scooted home in 27 4/5 to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Hill Street held second, with Donatover (Trond Smedshammer) up for third after a traffic-troubled trip.

Trainer Janice Connor also co-owns Whats The Word, a Donato Hanover colt, with Arden Homestead Stable. Whats The Word posted his seventh victory in his life, and he has now earned $119,734. Whats The Word was sent off at 6-5 and paid $4.60 to win.