Pocono: Sierra Girl, Paulina Hanover triumph in PA Sire Stakes

Sierra Girl and Paulina Hanover went home with victories from the two Pennsylvania Sire Stakes showdowns for rookie trotting fillies that headlined Sunday night's card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Coming off a stakes four-bagger on Saturday at Pocono, trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt tallied again with Sierra Girl in the first $79,074 division. Sierra Girl led the way through fractions 28 3/5, 58 2/5 and 1:26 4/5 on her way to a three length victory over Loveyoubunches (Todd Schadel). The Moment (Tim Tetrick) collected third.

Bred by Sam Stoltzfus, Sierra Girl is a Bar Hopping filly that Svanstedt also co-owns with co-owners Young Guns and Joe Sbrocco & Jaf Racing. A $60,000 buy at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale, Sierra Girl has a record of 3-1-0 from four tries, has pocketed $85,273 and paid $2.60 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

Svanstedt went for the double with She Shaq in the other $79,474 section but was denied by Paulina Hanover (Andy McCarthy) in a 1:55 4/5 mile. McCarthy moved Paulina Hanover from the pocket to the point beyond the 28 1/5 quarter and then kept control through a well-rated middle-half of 58 4/5 and 1:27 3/5. Svanstedt put She Shaq in motion first-up heading to three-quarters, loomed around the final bend and rallied in the lane, but Paulina Hanover was game on the front-end and held sway by a head. Santa Croce (Tetrick) was third.

Trained by Noel Daley, Paulina Hanover, a daughter of Father Patrick, is owned by Mazza Racing Stables LLC. Paulina Hanover, a Hanover Shoe Farms-bred, was purchased for $120,000 at the 2021 Standardbred Horse Sale and has two wins and a third from four outings. She has banked $63,605 and returned $6.60 to win as the 2-1 second choice.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Trainer Nifty Norman and driver David Miller each won a pair of $20,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series flights on the undercard. They joined forces to score with Sambuca Hanover (by Bar Hopping and bred by Hanover Shoe Farms) in 1:55 3/5 for owners David McDuffee, Paul Bordogna and Mel Hartman.

Norman's other triumph came with Magic Bee (by Father Patrick and bred by co-owner Herb Liverman; McDuffee is the co-owner) in 1:56 3/5 with Tyler Buter at the lines, while Miller also found the winner's circle with Norma Pearl (by Father Patrick and bred by Timber Ridge Stable and Midland Acres) in 1:57 1/5 for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Knox Services Inc., Larry Karr and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby.

Also tallying in the Stallion Series was Mon Amie Martine (by International Moni and bred by Cozette McAvoy) in 1:58 2/5 for driver Brady Brown, trainer Steve Schoeffel and owner Maxx Fortune Stable.