Punxsutawney pulled off a stunning upset at 44-1 in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

The three divisions held carried purses ranging from $112,508 to $112,509.

Heavy favourite Bluto led for much of the mile in the night’s big upset, but Punxsutawney (Glidemaster-Sunseeker Kosmos), who had been winless in his previous three starts, swept by in the stretch to win by two and a half lengths in 1:56.2 with Matt Kakaley in the bike. Bluto settled for second while Bullish finished third. Punxsutawney is owned by Jerry Graham and trained by John Butenschoen.

In the night’s first Sire Stakes split, Dontyouforgetit made a break of stride as he crossed the line in first, causing the judges to place him second and thereby giving the win to Major Athens (Andover Hall-Miss Athens.) Owned by Thomas Brice and Charles Receski, trained by Rich Gillock, and driven by Brian Sears, Major Athens won for the fourth time in six races. Dontyouforgetit had to settle for second because of the lapped-on break while Vibe Blue Chip picked up the show.

The final split belonged to Aperfectyankee (Yankee Glide-Asixpackfromperfect), who took over on the backstretch and rolled to a two and a quarter length win in the night’s fastest Sire Stakes time of 1:55. Spider Blue Chip (second) and My Man Can (third) rounded out the order of finish. Owned, trained, and driven by Jin Oscarsson, Aperfectyankee, fresh off his Peter Haughton Memorial win at The Meadowlands, already has career earnings of $274,455.

(Pocono Downs)