Endurance, the three-year-old trotting colt who was outstanding at two and has continued on at three to be one of the favourites for the Hambletonian, was again impressive at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Saturday (June 6) afternoon, when he won his $70,142 division of the second prelim of his group’s Pennsylvania Sire Stake. 

Endurance, who gave sire Captain Corey a Sire Stakes credit in addition to the two he earned in Stallion Series competition Saturday, went his mile in 1:51.4, equaling the fastest trotting time of the year at Pocono.

Andrew McCarthy, routing his schedule for a cameo appearance in northeast Pennsylvania before going on to Toronto, was away fifth with the winner and stayed in that position as 113-1 shot Oversear blistered early numbers of :26.1 and :54.3. When McCarthy gave the world to Endurance down the backstretch, the horse quickly went into higher gear, and when pocketsitter Geologic moved out late down the back to avoid a pocket shuffle, McCarthy gave no thought to cover and steamed on three-wide to circle to command just past a 1:23 three quarters.

No one could go with Endurance through the stretch (Geologic was 3-1/4 lengths back at the finish), and Endurance looked shut down at the wire. Apex may have gotten the decision in the Mohawk Million and Spencer Hanover just got by in the Oak Grove Derby Final, but trainer Chris Beaver and owners Super Endurance Stable, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming, and Mark Moger has had their horse give no indication that they still shouldn’t be looking forward to Saturday, Aug. 8.

The other PaSS division was won by the undefeated Greenshoe gelding Highland Destiny, unraced at two but now perfect in four 2026 starts after a 1:54.1 victory in his $69,586 division. The winner was taken back early by driver Scott Zeron from the outermost post seven after many others inside stepped away well, but after a quarter in :27.4 and just before a half in a pedestrian :57, Highland Destiny started then sustained a big-time uncovered move, going from fifth to first before the 1:25 third split (own third quarter :27.1 raw) and opened daylight.

Minoan, who had shown early speed, got stuck behind a tired horse on the far turn as Highland Destiny got a big advantage, but once clear he swung out then back in the stretch inside the leader (who had had only three lifetime starts; a surprise tactic maneuver?). But his steady charge just failed by a head, with Highland Destiny having enough to take the triumph for trainer Nancy Takter and Highland Thoroughbred Farm.

As mentioned, Captain Corey sired two of the winners in the three $27,778 Stallion Series sections – which like the Sire Stakes generated no horse who won both his prelims. In the Stallion Series, Tim Tetrick drove two of the three winners, including the fastest in Captain Jordan The colt left for position, quickstepped a :27.2 individual third quarter to clear to command and won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.3, like the other StS winners taking a new mark. Captain Jordan is owned by Joseph Faraldo and the Triple D Stables Inc. of trainer Scott Di Domenico, now only four wins shy of 3000 career victories.

Tetrick and Captain Corey earned another credit with Captainforlife AS, a gelding who won in 1:54.4. Captainforlife As brushed to the lead in front of the stands the first time and went on to win by 3-3/4 lengths for trainer Anette Lorenzton and ACL Stuteri AB. Rounding out the Stallion Series winners was the International Moni gelding Nose Jammer, who returned 11-1 despite this being his 11th career victory – he was one of the top fair horses in PA at two – after coming up the Pocono Pike to nose out Drambuie Hanover (the first four were within a half- length) in 1:55.2 for driver Andy Miller and trainer Todd Schadel, the latter co-owner with wife Christine.

Three years later, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding Ruthless Hanover is still the fastest horse ever on a five-eighth mile track with his 1:46.3 mile at Philly at age six, and at nine he still retains much talent, going to the top in a $27,778 fast-class pace and lighting up the board with splits of :26.2, :54, and 1:20.1 for driver George Napolitano Jr. en route to a 1:48.1 tally, the fastest mile of the year at Pocono. It’s hard to believe that Ruthless Hanover had not already achieved millionaire status, but with this victory the star for Team Cancelliere – trainer Tom and owner John – brought his bankroll to $1,178,397.

We mentioned Endurance as a top contender for the Hambletonian – the big Saturday card also featured a Top Ten contender for the Meadowlands Pace, the Always B Miki gelding Always B Charlie, who won in 1:51.2 on the front end for driver Scott Zeron, trainer Nancy Takter, and Upstart Racing.

Anthony Napolitano was top horseman on the day with three winners; doubles were achieved by drivers Tyler Buter, Tim Tetrick, and Scott Zeron, and trainers Deborah Daguet, Nancy Takter (both driven by Zeron) and Darren Taneyhill (both driven by Anthony Napolitano).

The second of nine consecutive 5 p.m. twilight Sunday cards is the next program at Pocono, with separate $15,500 USD events for up-and-coming male pacers and for the top claiming pacing horses on the grounds.

(PHHA / Pocono)