Odds-on favourites Lyons Legend and Caviart Belle turned in matching 1:50.2 miles to prevail in their respective $83,361 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes splits for two-year-old pacing fillies on Thursday (Aug. 17) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Lyons Legend brought an undefeated record into the first division and did not disappoint as the 3-5 public choice. After getting away third behind Miraculous Deo and Sweet Gal, Tim Tetrick brushed to the top with the Stay Hungry-Skinny Dip filly just past a :26.3 quarter. Lyons Legend ($3.40) was never threatened after taking charge, drawing clear steadily to win by 6-1/2 lengths. Sweet Gal emerged late to save second from the tiring Miraculous Deo.
Jim King Jr. trains Lyons Legend (shown above in a previous win at Pocono Downs), a five-time winner in as many starts with over $115,000 in career earnings, for Threelyonsracing.
In the second division, Caviart Belle and Yannick Gingras employed similar early tactics, brushing from third after a :26.4 quarter to overtake early leader Sarasota Hanover before trying to edge away from her six rivals on the far turn. Although Caviart Belle had amassed 2-1/2 lengths of clearance at the top of the stretch, the first-over My Girl EJ was building strong momentum to give late chase. Caviart Belle found the line in time, staving off My Girl EJ by a half length. Pass And Stow rallied belatedly for third.
Nancy Takter trains Caviart Belle ($3.40), a Captaintreacherous-Eloquent Grace filly with three wins in five starts and over $82,000 in career earnings, for Caviart Farms.
Trainer Brett Pelling won two of the four $20,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series events on the program, sending Rocket Deo ($7, Scott Zeron, 1:54) and Duffys Opinion ($5.40, Todd McCarthy, 1:54.1) to victory. Ron Coyne trainee Miki In Luv ($3.20, Corey Callahan, 1:53.2) and Travis Alexander pupil Fight Not Flight ($2.40, Dexter Dunn, 1:53.1) won the remaining divisions.
(USTA)