Pocono: Fear The Dragon foils Huntsville in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes

In Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Sunday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, all eyes were on Huntsville after his impressive seasonal debut at The Meadows on May 6, but Fear The Dragon had other ideas as he made a swift brush from fifth to first in the backstretch and went on to defeat Huntsville in a 1:49 1/5 career-best mile.

Racing in the second of three $49,494 sections, Huntsville (Tim Tetrick) got away in the third spot while Normandy Beach (Matt Kakaley) chopped out the opening quarter in 26 3/5. Tetrick then brought his charge to the outside as they raced in the stretch the first time, and he would grab command before the 54 4/5 half.

Fear The Dragon (David Miller) had watched all the action up front from the fifth position, but Miller brought him first-over just past the half. Fear The Dragon came with an absolute blitz once shown air, and he would clear Huntsville before the 1:22 1/5 three-quarters. In the stretch Huntsville tried to mount another rally in the passing lane, but Fear The Dragon lived up to his name and then some, pacing away to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Huntsville had to settle for second and Normandy Beach held third.

The victorious Dragon Again colt is trained by Brian Brown for owner Emerald Highlands Farm. Fear The Dragon, who was favored over Huntsville in last year's Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship before finishing third to him in the race, has eight lifetime victories and a bankroll of $276,298. Sent off as the 5-1 second choice, Fear The Dragon paid $12.80 to win.

The other two Pennsylvania Sire Stakes flights would go to colts from the Jimmy Takter barn.

Back in the first split 12-1 shot Blood Line (Mark MacDonald) made front from the outside post seven, and he would click off fractions of 26 3/5, 55 4/5, and 1:22 3/5. Race favorite Filibuster Hanover (Yannick Gingras) had every chance to go by the longshot leader from first-over in the final quarter, but could not, with Blood Line holding sway by half a length in 1:50 3/5. Boogie Shuffle (Scott Zeron) followed the winner from the pocket and finished third.

Takter trains Blood Line, a colt by Somebeachsomewhere, for Diamond Creek Racing. Blood Line is now a three-time winner in his career, and he has earned $148,660. He paid $27.80 to win.

The sire stakes finale for the evening saw Eddard Hanover (Kakaley) on top at the 26 3/5 opening quarter, 55 half, and 1:22 2/5 three-quarters, but 1-5 choice Ocean Colony (Gingras) popped out of the two-hole before they turned for home and wore down the pace-setter to prevail by three-parts of a length in 1:50 3/5. Machiavelli (David Miller) was third.

Ocean Colony is a son of Somebeachsomewhere owned by Christina Takter, John Fielding, Hatfield Stables, and Mkatz Alibfeld Sgoldband. Ocean Colony has four triumphs in his racing career, and he has put away $138,950. He returned $2.60 to win.