Pocono: Kissin In The Sand's excellent sophomore campaign continues

Kissin In The Sand, who was second by a nose to Youaremycandygirl in last Saturday's Shady Daisy at the Meadowlands, got back to her winning ways on Saturday night, easily taking a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Sansovina Hanover and Alexa's Power, who was third in the Shady Daisy, took the other flights.

Driver Scott Zeron settled Kissin In The Sand in the three-hole to the 27-second opening quarter in the first $53,680 split, but he brought her to the outside off the first turn, and Kissin In The Sand cleared Aldine Hanover (Corey Callahan) for the lead before the 55 4/5 half. Kissin In The Sand rebuffed a first-up try by Reign On Me (George Napolitano Jr.) to the 1:23 3/5 three-quarters, then jetted away in the lane on her way to a three-length triumph in 1:50 3/5. Parisian Blue Chip (Tim Tetrick) rallied up the passing lane to get second, but made a late break and was placed back to third behind Aldine Hanover.

Nancy Johansson trains Kissin In The Sand, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, for owners Marvin Katz and Hatfield Stables. This was Kissin In The Sand's 12th career victory, including tallies in this year's Lynch Memorial and Mistletoe Shalee finals, and she has now earned $634,997. The 1-9 favorite, Kissin In The Sand paid $2.10 across the board.

In the next $53,680 grouping, 2-1 slight favorite Serene Stride (Callahan) chopped out fractions of 27 3/5, 56, and 1:24 1/5, but Sansovina Hanover (Andrew McCarthy), who pulled first-up from third past the half, struck front at the top of the lane and paced away to score by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:52 1/5. Serene Stride held second over Odds On Stephane (Anthony Napolitano).

Another filly by Somebeachsomewhere, Sansovina Hanover is trained by Ron Burke for the ownership group of Burke Racing Stable LLC., Silva Purnel And Libby, Michelle Yanek, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Sansovina Hanover is now a three-time winner in her life, and she has pocketed $173,160. A 5-2 offering, Sansovina Hanover returned $7.00 to win.

The $54,080 final section saw Alexa's Power (Tetrick) on the point at the 27 2/5 opening quarter, the 56 1/5 half, and the 1:23 3/5 three-quarters. Second choice Sidewalk Dancer (Brett Miller) tried things first-over from third heading to three-quarters, and she would get to within a length of the leader at that marker, but Alexa's Power put her bid away on the final bend and sprinted away to a four-length triumph in 1:50 4/5. Sidewalk Dancer lasted for second over Scuola Hanover (Napolitano Jr.).

Alexa's Power, trained by Jim Campbell for co-owner/breeder Jeffrey Snyder and co-owner Michael Snyder, completed a sweep of the sire stakes action for the late Somebeachsomewhere. Alexa's Power made her ninth appearance in the winner's circle, and she has now banked $319,776. The 1-5 choice, Alexa's Power paid $2.60 to win.