Pocono: Rubio, Dover Dan, Giveitgasandgo grab PA Sire Stakes wins

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs played host to a trio of $48,077 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Saturday night, and Rubio, Dover Dan, and Giveitgasandgo would take top honors.

Rubio (Jimmy Takter), who hadn't raced since last September, returned with a 1:53 1/5 decision in the first split. Muscles Jared (Jim Marohn Jr.) took the field of seven to the opening quarter in 28 seconds, but then the complexion of the event completely changed when 1-9 favorite Sortie (Andrew McCarthy) broke while moving first-over out of the fourth position. With the heavy choice out of the way, Muscles Jared continued to lead through a middle-half of 57 1/5 and 1:25 2/5, with Rubio moving up first-over and to within a length of the tempo-setter at three-quarters.

In the stretch Muscles Jared was still strong as he tried to hold off Rubio, but eventually he gave way, and Rubio would go on to win by a length. Muscles Jared did hold second, while Di Oggi (Andy Miller) finished third.

Takter trains Rubio, a Cantab Hall colt, for owners Christina Takter, John Fielding, Jim Fielding, and Brixton Medical Inc. Rubio, who was third as the favorite in last year's Peter Haughton Memorial, has won six of his eight lifetime starts, and he has now earned $131,962. Rubio was the 9-2 second choice and paid $11.80 to win.

The other two sections were won by the driver-trainer combo of Corey Callahan and John Butenschoen. Dover Dan was their first winner, stopping the clock in 1:52 4/5 in the second flight. He ended up battling with Moonshiner Hanover (George Napolitano Jr.) turning for home after leader Meteoric (Joe Bongiorno) broke on the far turn, and Dover Dan proved the better horse on this night, beating Moonshiner Hanover by 2 1/2 lengths. Sir John F (Takter) came in third.

Dover Dan, an Andover Hall colt, is owned by William Wiswell, Jean Goehlen, and Eugene Schick. Out of the great CR Kay Suzie, Dover Dan now has five career triumphs, and he pushed his bankroll to $156,889. Dover Dan was the 3-1 third choice and returned $8.00 to win.

Giveitgasandgo, last year's sire stakes champion, completed the double for Callahan and Butenschoen, matching his stablemate with a 1:52 4/5 mile. Giveitgasandgo led through stations of 28 2/5, 57 2/5, and 1:24 4/5, then used a 28 second final kicker to beat favorite and pocket-sitter President Lindy (Andy Miller) by a length and a quarter. Andy M (Jason Bartlett) followed in for third.

A Yankee Glide ridgling, Giveitgasandgo is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable Inc., David Miller, Lawrence Means, and Vip Internet Stable LLC. He now has a record of 9-3-1 from 15 trips behind the gate, and he has banked $318,849. Giveitgasandgo was the 2-1 second favorite and paid $6.60 to win.