Australian-born Andrew McCarthy enjoyed his biggest night ever in North America Tuesday night at Pocono Downs, collecting three Pennsylvania Sire Stakes victories for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings
In the opening division, with each of the races carrying purses in excess of $42,000, McCarthy shot up the Pocono Pike (passing lane) to win with 17-1 long shot Sand Benelli with the timer reading 1:51.1. McCarthy never left the pylons in this opening division, sitting fourth or fifth throughout the mile before taking to the passing lane and winning by three-quarters of a length over Built To Drive with third-place going to Vertigo Hanover.
Jim Arledge trains Sand Benelli, who was picking up his first win of the 2009 season on the horse’s fifth start.
McCarthy drove Bunkmeister to his second straight sires stakes victory in the very next division, also winning by three-quarters of a length over Iamperfectright and River Shark.
Both of McCarthy’s wins came from the post five. However, McCarthy and Bunkmeister took the lead after the opening panel and won this one with the fastest time of the six stake races. It was a 1:50.4 clocking and a new life mark for George Teague, Jr. trainee.
Third stakes win of the evening for McCarthy came with Doubleshotascotch in the fifth of six divisions. This mile went in 1:52.3 over a sloppy track after the racing surface was pounded by heavy rains from a severe thunderstorm. Noel Daley trains this winner.
Prior to the rains, Dick Stillings drove El Cucuy to a 1:51.3 victory in the third division with Rustys All In second and Denim Hanover third.
Ron Burke-trained Astounding Hanover, piloted by Yannick Gingras, was another stakes victor, stopping the timer in 1:51.2 with Clear Vision second and Going Native third.
Market Analysis, a 34-1 long shot driven by Daniel Dube, won the sixth and final division with a time of 1:52.1. John McDermott trains Market Analysis.
(Pocono Downs)