Pocono: Rookie pacing males clash in PA Sire Stakes

The $215,461 third preliminary leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings was conducted during the Sunday twilight card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, and as far as divisional supremacy is concerned - well, that's nowhere near to being established yet.

The Always B Miki-Beach Gal colt Always A Miki now has two Sire Stakes victories and is three-for-four lifetime after tying for the night's fastest stakes performer at 1:51 1/5 and earning a new mark. The Nancy Takter trainee was sent to the front near the quarter by driver Dexter Dunn and controlled things from there, seeing off closing pocket-sitter Chase H Hanover by three-quarters of a length with back fractions of 55 2/5 and 27 3/5 for the ownership of Christina Takter, Goran Anderberg, Herb Liverman, and the Rojan Stables.

Also victorious in 1:51 1/5 for a lifetime-best was the Somebeachsomewhere-Swinging Beauty gelding Whichwaytothebeach, who also took his second stakes win - only his first was in a Stallion Series event in his debut. The rapidly-developing baby, who will probably need a win in the final prelim at The Meadows on August 29 to make his Championship event at Pocono on Saturday, September 5, blazed his own back numbers of 54 2/5 and 26 4/5 to catch pace-setter The Legend Hanover by a half-length for driver Marcus Miller, trainer Rolie Mallar, and owners Alan Johnston and John Craig.

Lou's Pearlman had been undefeated in four lifetime starts, including two Sire Stakes wins coming into his section, but after setting the pace he tired, allowing the Betting Line-All Tucked Up colt Abuckabett Hanover to earn a 1:51 2/5 maiden mark by finishing 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Capt Jack Hanover. "Team Ramona Hill," driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Tony Alagna, combined with owners Barbera Stable, Jablonsky Held Stable, Joe Deguara, and Alagna And Inthegym for this victory.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--