Pocono: Sophomores face off in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Finals
A day after all four public choices were defeated in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Finals for 2-year-olds at The Meadows, favorites dominated in the PaSS Finals for sophomores at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with big names Dorsoduro Hanover, Kissin In The Sand, Crystal Fashion, and Phaetosive prevailing.
Dorsoduro Hanover (Matt Kakaley), the Adios champion, worked his way into command past the 26 2/5 front quarter in the $253,000 race for pacing colts. He would then reach the half in 54 2/5 and the three-quarters in 1:22, with This Is The Plan (Andrew McCarthy) offering some pressure from first-up and Done Well (Tim Tetrick) pocketed. Dorsoduro Hanover continued to lead around the far turn and into the lane, but Hayden Hanover (Andy Miller), who had led early, then took a shuffle back to third, split foes and found room through the stretch. The wire came up just in time for Dorsoduro Hanover, though, as he won by a nose in a 1:49 4/5 mile. This Is The Plan was a solid third off the uncovered mile.
A gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere, Dorsoduro Hanover is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Silva, Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi LLC., and Wingfield Five LLC. This was Dorsoduro Hanover's ninth career victory, and he has now earned $762,606. The 1-5 favorite, he paid $2.60 to win.
In the filly pace final, Kissin In The Sand (Scott Zeron) parked to almost the 54 1/5 half to get the lead, then kept the tempo hot after making front, reaching three-quarters in 1:21 3/5 and giving the cold shoulder to a first-up Sidewalk Dancer (Brett Miller). In the lane Parisian Blue Chip (Brian Sears), who had been on the rim the first three-eighths of the mile before making front and then yielding to Kissin In The Sand, attacked up the passing lane, but Kissin In The Sand held sway, scoring by half a length in 1:49 3/5. Alexa's Power (Tetrick) collected third.
Nancy Johansson trains Kissin In The Sand, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, for owners Marvin Katz and Hatfield Stables. This was Kissin In The Sand's 14th lifetime win, and she has now pocketed $801,556. Kissin In The Sand returned $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorit
Curtis SalonickCrystal Fashion just got up in timee.
The colt trot final saw Whats The Word (Simon Allard) almost go wire-to-wire, but Crystal Fashion (Tetrick), who tucked in fifth from post eight, followed cover from second-over, and tipped out three-wide for the drive, caught Whats The Word in the last jump to score a nose decision in 1:52 4/5. Evaluate (Sears) finished third from the pocket.
Trained by Jim Campbell for owner Fashion Farms LLC., Crystal Fashion made his 12th appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now banked $813,474. The 1-5 favorite, Crystal Fashion, who is by Cantab Hall, paid $2.60 to win.
Phaetosive (Trond Smedshammer) worked out a second-over journey through stations of 27 1/5, 56 1/5, and 1:24 1/5 in the filly trot final, then rallied in the stretch to prevail by a length in 1:52 3/5. Courtney Hanover (Zeron) was next, followed by Lily Stride (Tetrick).
The victorious daughter of Explosive Matter is also trained by Smedshammer for owner Purple Haze Stables LLC. Phaetosive is now a nine-time winner, and she has put away $657,717. The 1-9 choice, Phaetosive returned $2.10 across-the-board.
Three $50,000 PaSS Consolations also took place on the program, with Ake Svanstedt doubling with S M S Princess (filly trot, 1:52 3/5) and Gemologist (colt trot, 1:52 3/5). Strong Opinion took the filly pace in 1:52 3/5 for Yannick Gingras and Ron Burke.