Pocono: Rookie colt pacers step out in Pennsylvania All-Stars

Filibuster Hanover posted a 1:53 2/5 mile to lead the four winners in Pennsylvania All-Stars action for 2-year-old colt pacers on Sunday evening at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. He was also one of three victories for driver Yannick Gingras and one of two for trainer Ron Burke.

Gingras put Burke trainee Filibuster Hanover on the lead between the 27 4/5 opening quarter and the 57 3/5 half in the third $30,000 division, but yielded to favored Huntsville (Tim Tetrick) before the latter mark. Huntsville went on to click off three-quarters in 1:26 2/5, but in the lane Gingras angled his charge to the passing lane, and Filibuster Hanover came through to win by a length. Huntsville held second, and The Wall (Brett Miller) was third after a first-over try.

Burke Racing Stable LLC., JT45 LLC., Joe Di Scala Jr., and Weaver Bruscemi LLC., own Filibuster Hanover, a Somebeachsomewhere colt. A $90,000 Harrisburg buy, Filibuster Hanover is out of Fashion Ecstasy (Western Hanover, $126,228), and is a half-brother to fellow Burke pupil and stakes winner Fernando Hanover (Dragon Again, $117,640). Sent off at 2-1, Filibuster Hanover returned $6.00.

The Burke/Gingras connection also clicked in the finale with Normandy Beach. He popped the pocket to take over en route to the 59 second half, fought off a stern first-over bid by R J P (Marcus Miller) to the 1:26 4/5 three-quarters and onto the far turn, and held on through the lane to down pocket-sitter Boogie Shuffle (Dave Miller) by half a length in 1:54 4/5. Ponderingjacksfame (Jim Morand) came in third.

W.J. Donovan owns Normandy Beach, another colt by Somebeachsomewhere. Purchased for $90,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, Normandy Beach is the first foal out of millionaire Symphony In Motion (Bettor's Delight). The 3-5 choice, Normandy Beach returned $3.20.

The other victory for Gingras came in the opener as he guided Western Joe to a 1:55 tally. Western Joe brushed from third to first past the 28 4/5 opening quarter, and after a 59 2/5 half and a 1:27 3/5, he sprinted home in 27 2/5 to beat Fear The Dragon (Dave Miller) by two lengths. Beach Boogie (Marcus Miller) grabbed third.

Christopher Choate trains Western Joe, a homebred for Anthony Ruggeri. A Western Ideal colt, Western Joe is out of the Falcon Seelster mare Ante Fay ($159,974) and is a half-brother to the likes of Joe Palz (Blissfull Hall, $115,941).

Downbytheseaside (Dave Miller) was also a Pennsylvania All-Stars winner. He made an impressive brush from fifth to first going to the 59 second half, then went on to a 1:28 2/5 three-quarters and a 1:55 1/5 finish. He beat runner-up Mac's Jackpot (Tim Tetrick) by 1 3/4 lengths, with Maconupwithedragon (Marcus Miller) back in third.

The winning colt, trained by Brian Brown for owners Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, and Richard Lombardo, was another credit for Somebeachsomewhere. Plucked out of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $65,000, Downbytheseaside is the fourth foal out of the Allamerican Native mare Sprig Hanover ($438,458).