There was no shortage of star power – or speed – in Thursday’s three divisions of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings Thursday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Fear The Dragon is now 4-for-4 to start the season for trainer Brian Brown thanks to his 1:49.1 triumph in his $49,093 division. David Miller got away fourth with the 1-9 favourite, and together they held that spot through the opening half of the contest. Fear The Dragon went first-over on the way to the three-quarter pole, and he used a :27-second closing quarter to win by a length over Ocean Colony, with Ozone Blue Chip taking home third prize.
Fresh off his upset win over Huntsville on May 21 in a P.A.S.S. division at Pocono Downs, Fear The Dragon lifted his lifetime earnings past $300,000 with the triumph. The son of Well Said-Armbro Cinnamon is now 9-for-15 in his career.
Summer Side won as he pleased in the second division for the tandem of driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Ray Schnittker. Tetrick got away in the pocket with the even-money favourite, but he had him on the move on the way to the half. Summer Side cleared and tossed out middle fractions of :54.4 and 1:23.3 before kicking home in :27.4 to win in 1:50.2. It was a length in arrears to Filibuster Hanover, with Machiavelli rounding out the Trifecta ticket.
It was the first win of the season – and the fourth to date – for the career winner of $264,882. The lightly-raced youngster is owned by Schnittker and Howard Taylor.
On the heels of a rare loss, Huntsville bounced back and posted a sharp score in his $49,493 division giving driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Ray Schnittker another stakes score to celebrate. Tetrick hustled the 1-9 favourite to the lead from Post 7 and together they sailed through fractions of :26.3, :54.2 an 1:21.4 before slipping home in :27.1 to win by 7-1/4 lengths over Highalator in 1:49. Boogie Shuffle took home the show dough.
The homebred is owned by Schnittker, Ted Gewertz, Charles Iannazzo and Steven Arnold, and together the group has watched his bankroll climb to $776,263 with the victory. From 14 career starts he’s managed to assemble an impressive record of 9-5-0.