Pocono: Favored freshmen deliver in PA Sire Stakes
I Did It Myway ran his career record to five-for-five - at five different racetracks - and notched his third straight Pennsylvania Sire Stakes victory as the 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings came to The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono during a Sunday twilight card for their third preliminary round of action.
A Captaintreacherous-Flyme To The Moon colt, I Did It Myway had won previously at the Meadowlands, The Meadows, Harrah's Philly, and The Red Mile, but this test proved his toughest as he won by a nose in 1:52 1/5. Todd McCarthy got the winner to the lead, around Wearinmysixshooter, past a 27 1/5 opening split, then put up fractions of 56 and 1:24 1/5. On the far turn he looked like he had gone clear, but he bore a bit wide (a phenomenon often manifested by first-time starters at Pocono, especially 2-year-olds, possibly because that's where the paddock is located), but I Did It Myway regathered himself and held off the tough two-holer, with rail-shooting Treacherous Tom only a head away from taking it all.
I Did It Myway now has earnings of $128,658 for trainer Tony Alagna and the ownership of Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, Don Latore, and Alagna And Fodera Racing.
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While I Did It Myway has shown himself capable to handle any oval so far, the royally-bred Sweet Lou-Economy Terror colt Market Based has been victorious at only one track - Pocono (he suffered interference at The Meadows and then went off-stride at Philly in his other two Sire Stakes starts). But all systems were "go" on this occasion, as Dexter Dunn let early traffic settle in a 27 4/5 first quarter, got to the half without incident in 56 4/5, then saw his charge throw a 28 second third panel and then a 27 second kicker to win by 2 1/4 lengths over JM's Final Treasure in a lifetime-best of 1:51 4/5. Nancy Takter is in charge of the fast baby for Chuck Pompey, Ed Gold, and H&M Taylor Stable.
--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--