Pocono: Gingras, Burke double in PA Sire Stakes for rookie trotting fillies

Driver Yannick Gingras guided both Sister Sledge and Queen Of The Hill to their third victories in an undefeated Pennsylvania Sire Stakes campaign on Monday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, in the three-division $182,105 third round preliminary.

Sister Sledge had been regarded as the leader of the division at this point, and even though she went in 1:56 1/5 to Queen Of The Hill’s 1:55, she lost none of her luster. The daughter of Father Patrick–Behindclosedoors quarter-moved after a 29 second opener, was allowed to get to the half in 59 3/5, then sprinted home in 56 3/5 - 27 4/5 in full control, with longshot Ginger Tree Bren coming on late to make the margin of victory 2 1/2 lengths at the wire.

Sister Sledge is undefeated in five career starts, with the Sire Stakes joined by an Arden Downs win and a PA All-Stars win in which she took her mark of 1:53 4/5. Ron Burke trained his second Sires winner of the night for Sister Sledge’s ownership, Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Jason Melillo, and J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby.

Queen Of The Hill (8-5) wasn’t even favored in her Sires cut, mainly because she was facing Sherry Lyns Lady (3-5), who had a previous Sires win and a 2-2 finish in the two weeks of the Doherty Stake, against the “Queen”’s 3-6. Queen Of The Hill brushed to the lead after a 28 3/5 quarter, and in turn she yielded to Sherry Lyns Lady at the 58 second half. The field went by the three-quarters in 1:27, and in the stretch Queen Of The Hill went to the Pocono Pike to challenge the leader; Sherry Lyns Lady gave her all she wanted, but Queen Of The Hill prevailed by a head in 1:55, a new mark. Per Engblom trains the daughter of Explosive Matter–Flyer Mel for owner Al Libfeld.

These two will have to contend with Sans Defaut, who won her second straight Sire Stakes start and matched the 1:55 clocking, fastest in this PaSS group so far, of Queen Of The Hill. The other Ron Burke trainee to win in this PaSS class on the card, the daughter of Muscle Hill-Flawless Lindy made a move past a 28 2/5 quarter for driver Matt Kakaley and put up mid-race splits of 57 4/5 and 1:26 1/5 before defeating Solsbury Hill by 2 1/2 lengths. Also a winner in PA All-Stars competition, Sans Defaut is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Crawford Farms Racing, and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--