Pocono: Marseille magnificient in maiden-breaking effort

Trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt had Marseille ready to rumble in his 3-year-old debut, coming off one qualifier to take the quickest of the three $58,868 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions for sophomore trotting males on Sunday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, stopping the clock in 1:53 3/5.

Winless in four starts as a 2-year-old, Marseille was second in a 1:56 2/5 performance in qualifying action on May 22 at Pocono. In tonight's contest, Svanstedt showed speed with his charge from post four, reaching the opening quarter in 27 3/5 before handing the lead off to public choice Gerry (Brian Sears). Gerry was able to get away with a 56 1/5 half and a 1:25 3/5 three-quarters over the sloppy surface, but Marseille had the most punch in the lane, using a 27 4/5 final quarter to get up and win by half a length. Gerry had to settle for second, and Papi Hanover (Anthony Napolitano Jr.) was third.

A big ticket yearling buy at the 2017 Standardbred Horse Sale, fetching $180,000, Marseille is owned by Svanstedt, breeder Owner By Stable, and Howard Taylor. Marseille broke his maiden in his fifth chance, and he has now earned $50,541. Sent off at 4-1, he paid $10.20 to win.

In the next grouping, White Tiger (David Miller) pushed on to the point past the 28 4/5 opening quarter, rated a soft middle-half of 58 and 1:27, and had plenty left for the final quarter, closing in 28 3/5 to win by a measured three-parts of a length in 1:55 3/5. Macmorris Hanover (Tim Tetrick) rallied for second, followed by Klutzy (Andy Miller).

The victorious Muscle Massive gelding is trained by Andrew Harris for owner Thestable White Tiger Grp. White Tiger made his fifth appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now pocketed $176,415. The even-money favorite, he returned $4.00 to win.

The last split saw favored Osterc (Yannick Gingras) and rail starter Explosivebreakaway (Tom Jackson) battle on the first turn before Osterc took charge at the 28 second first quarter. Gingras and Osterc backed down the half to just 58 seconds, then picked up the tempo to 1:25 4/5 at three-quarters, appearing to have more to give.

However, he rolled into a break on the far turn, leaving a first-over Summit In Sight (A. Miller), who had been parked first-over throughout, and Explosivebreakaway to decide it, and Summit In Sight couldn't match Explosivebreakaway after the tough trip, with Explosivebreakaway pulling away to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:54 2/5. Summit In Sight did hold second, with Capt Chaps Hanover (Matt Kakaley) third.

Explosivebreakaway, an Explosive Matter gelding who is a full brother to the good aged mare trotter Phaetosive, is trained by Fred Grant, who also shares ownership with Janice Rubin, Steven Katz, and Murray Brown. Explosivebreakaway now has a record of 5-3-0 from eight attempts, and he has banked $76,184. Dispatched at 9-1, he paid $20.60 to win.