Real Cool Sam overpowered Cant Say No in his division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for freshman trotting colts and geldings Tuesday (July 16) while also matching the stakes record with a 1:55.2 mile.

Both Real Cool Sam and Cant Say No entered the Hickory Pride off two straight wins to begin their careers and sharp wins in PA All-Stars splits at Pocono. Cant Say No had a post position edge.

But Real Cool Sam, a Fashion Farms homebred Muscle Hill-Cooler Schooner gelding, got away in mid-pack for David Miller and launched a powerful uncovered bid that carried him past Cant Say No in a heartbeat. Cant Say No rallied in the stretch, but Real Cool Sam stayed two-and-a-half lengths ahead with El Ideal third.

“He’s pretty gifted,” said winning trainer Jim Campbell. “He can turn it on pretty quick anytime you want him to. I don’t think Dave was really asking him; he still had the earplugs in. He got a little too ‘studdy’; that’s why we had to geld him. But training-wise, he’s showed a lot from the word go. If he comes out of this okay, we’ll take him to the Meadowlands for the Peter Haughton.”

In another division Gangster Hanover had little trouble fashioning a front victory in 1:55.3 in his career debut. S Class was second, one-and-a-quarter lengths back, with Patriarch Hanover third. Svanstedt owns Gangster Hanover with SRF Stable and Brittany Farms.

Svanstedt, who entered six in the stake, said Gangster Hanover appeared to be the best of his young trotters training down.

“He got sore and struggled a little bit,” he said of the son of Father Patrick-Global Desire. “He’s on his way back again, and he raced very good today.”

Svanstedt gave King Alphonso a :30.3 second-quarter breather, and the son of Muscle Hill-Amour Heiress needed every bit of it in his pari-mutuel bow to hold off Dublin by a nose in 1:57.1. Hell Patrol completed the ticket.

“He’s a strong horse, but he felt alone and tried to get out a little,” Svanstedt said. “But he’s a strong and fast horse.” King Alphonso races for Svanstedt, Bender Sweden, Little E LLC and Douglas Sipple.

“Downtown” Brady Brown piloted three winners—including a pair at 22-1 and 21-1—on the 14-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday, when the card features a pair of carryovers — $1,982.95 in the Pick 4 (races 3-6), $3,549.40 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 1:05 p.m.

(with files from The Meadows)