Slew of sires stakes composed weekend trial action

By Frank and Ray Cotolo

(H) denotes Hambletonian eligible

Colts and fillies progressing towards the first Saturday in August were in competition over the weekend in a variety of Sires Stakes events. The fillies also contested in a lone dash for the $41,880 Mary Reynolds Memorial at the Meadowlands on Saturday, July 8. 

Dream Baby Dream (H-Muscle Hill) took the lead into the backstretch and strolled to a 1:52.3 win over Sunshine Delight (H-Credit Winner) and Overdraft Volo (H-Yankee Glide) to take the Mary Reynolds Memorial. Owned by Rod Allen Inc. and Joe Palermo III, and trained and driven by Rod Allen, she paid $4.40 to win. 

Pocono Downs hosted four divisions of the $120,000 Pennsylvania All-Stars for colts on their Sunday, July 9 program. Division one was claimed by Two Am, who tipped off cover to best pocket-sitter Moonshiner Hanover (H-Andover Hall) and first-over challenger Di Oggi (H-Crazed) to win in 1:54. Owned by Lynette Buter, Gene Oldford Farms, and William and Carol Fuhs, trained by Todd Buter, and driven by Tyler Buter, he paid $11.60 to win. 

Dover Dan (H-Andover Hall) brushed by race-leader Achille Duharas (H-Andover Hall) and held off cover-riders Andy M and Shake It Off Lindy (H-Crazed) to win division two in 1:53.3. Owned by William Wiswell, Jean Goehlen, and Eugene Schick, trained by John Butenschoen, and driven by Corey Callahan, he paid $4.00. 

Division three went to Giveitgasandgo (H-Yankee Glide), who strode clear of pocket-rider Explosive Ridge (H-Explosive Matter) and Common Parlance to a two-length victory in 1:54.2. Owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable Inc., David Miller, Lawrence Means, and VIP Internet Stables, trained by John Butenschoen, and driven by Corey Callahan, he paid $2.80. 

Sweeping by horses in the stretch after favorite President Lindy (H-Cantab Hall) broke on the lead in the stretch, Thisguyisonfire (H-Yankee Glide) rushed past new leader Sir John F (H-Donato Hanover) and Ataboy Hanover to upset at 83-1 in 1:54 to take the final division. Owned by Fashion Farms LLC, trained by Jim Campbell, and driven by David Miller, he paid $169.40 to win. 

Fillies were back in action on Tuesday, July 11 with Pocono Downs hosting five divisions of the $150,000 Pennsylvania All-Stars. 

Vodka N Lindy (H-Cantab Hall) won the opening split going wire to wire in 1:54.2 over Broadway Concert and Foxtail Lily (H-Cantab Hall). Owned by George Ducharme Stable, Paul Fontaine, Jim Winske, and Winters Racing Stable, trained by George Ducharme, and driven by David Miller, she paid $3.20. 

Broadway Idole (H-Broadway Hall) also won going wire-to-wire in her 1:54.3 victory in division two over Decadence (H-Donato Hanover) and Lookingforamiracle. Owned by Fashion Farms LLC, trained by Jim Campbell, and driven by David Miller, she paid $5.00. 

Rushing first over to grab the lead in the stretch, Crann Tara (H-Donato Hanover) took division three over True Friends and Lexi Marie. Owned by William Donovan, trained by Linda Toscano, and driven by Marcus Miller, she paid $4.00. 

Fine Tuned Lady (H-Cantab Hall) took the lead after the quarter and progressed to a 1:54.2 win in division four over No Bus For Us (H-Muscle Massive) and Ez Passer. Owned by William Wiswell and M and L of Delaware, trained by John Butenschoen, and driven by Corey Callahan, she paid $2.80. 

Circling to the front after the quarter, Treviso (H-Muscle Massive) took the final All-Star split in 1:55 over Leet Hanover and Out Of Luck. Owned by Klis Brothers Stables and Carrie Norris and trained and driven by Charlie Norris, she paid $2.20.