The second preliminary leg of the Pennsylvania Stallion Series for three-year-old colt trotters went gateward Sunday night (May 27) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Five splits were contested, and the current parity in the group was reflected by the fact that three divisions were clocked in 1:55 and the other two in 1:55.1.

Two of the 1:55 winners were altered sons of Explosive Matter, and that pair also became the only members of the group to win in both Stallion Series prelims. The first to earn this distinction was Lindys Big Bang, who made every pole a winning one while coming home in :28.1 to take a new speed badge for trainer Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman and driver David Miller – the latter co-owner with Melvin Hartman and David McDuffee.

The other double stallion series winner, Rich And Miserable, came from behind cover and went on to win. Driver Tyler Buter tipped the winner wide from second-over at headstretch and handled him confidently through the lane in lowering his mark for trainer Todd Buter and owners Gene Oldford Farms LLC, Lynette Buter, and William and Carol Fuhs.

Sire Cantab Hall also saw two of his sons trot to victory in stallion series action. First up was For A Dreamer, who gained command in front of the stands and went on to be the other 1:55 winner, a time which equalled his mark taken in a qualifier. Corey Callahan handled the sulky assignment for trainer Bob Stewart and the partnership of Bluestone Farms, S. Steven Arak, Brianna Fenn, and Norman Corn.

Cantab Hall is also the sire of the gelding Mississippi Storm, who went coast-to-coast while taking his division in 1:55.1, only a tick off his career fastest. Mississippi Storm tacked on a :28 kicker for driver Jim Morrill Jr. He has now won six of his 12 career starts for trainer Tom Fanning and owner Joseph Smith.

The other 1:55.1 winner was the Muscle Hill gelding Spartan, who made an early move to control the throttle and went on to post his second straight victory and lower his mark. Andrew McCarthy was in the sulky for trainer Anette Lorentzon, who co-owns the sophomore with ACL Stuteri AB.

(With files from PHHA / Pocono)