Pocono: Keg Stand, Global Pandemic shine brightest in PA All-Stars

Keg Stand and Global Pandemic were the winners in two $37,500 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Monday afternoon, as the freshmen saw their first stakes action at the mountain oval in 2021.

Keg Stand, a Bar Hopping-Palm Beach Bi colt, was kept just off the upfront action by Dexter Dunn, as Big Miles gave way to S I P nearing the 28 1/5 quarter. Whiskey Hanover then came out in front of the stands and took over the top before the 58 1/5 half. Dunn moved Keg Stand first-over and was in gear going to the 1:27 1/5 three-quarters, and through the stretch Keg Stand had too much while finishing his mile in 1:55 4/5 for a maiden mark. S I P rallied for second, 1 1/4 lengths behind Keg Stand, who is trained by Nancy Takter for Black Horse Racing, Christina Takter, and John Fielding.

Keg Stand had been a closing third in his only other purse start, in a Tompkins-Geers stake; the horse who won that race, Global Pandemic, is now undefeated in two starts after clocking his All-Stars mile in 1:57 2/5. Big Ben Hanover set the pace with fractions of 28 3/5, 58 3/5, and 1:27 2/5, while Yannick Gingras moved the successful son of Cantab Hall- Nicole's Promise uncovered from third down the backstretch, and in the lane drew away to finish four lengths ahead of the fraction-setter for trainer Ron Burke and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC along with Hatfield Stables.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--