Four divisions of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers were contested at Harrah's Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon, with each split offering a purse in excess of $60,000.
In the first division it was Well Hello There (Well Said-Helen of Leda) leaving fast off the wings and making every call a winning one. Favourite Triple V Hanover sat the pocket, but came up empty and finished off the board. After fighting off a first-over bid from Deli Beach, Well Hello There kicked away to a two-length victory in 1:53. Ianthe Hanover finished second, while Arts Jem rallied for third.
Well Hello There is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Blue Chip Bloodstock, Our Horse Cents Stables and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Matt Kakaley guided the Ron Burke pupil to the win.
In division two it was the Jimmy Takter trainee Aria Hanover (Well Said-Allamerican Cognac) gamely gunning down the leaders. Race favourite and eventual third-place finisher, Arielle Lynn, was the pacesetter, while Kays Dragon Lady applied first-over pressure. Those two tired, however, leaving pocket sitter Macarena Mama and Aria Hanover in a furious stretch duel that saw the latter narrowly prevailing.
Aria Hanover is owned by the Brittany Farms, and was driven by Yannick Gingras.
In the third division it was Ginger Tree Alexis (Dragon Again-Open Forum) overcoming post seven for the victory. The Steve Cook trainee left fast off the wings and led the entire opening quarter, but was eventually overtaken by the eventual third-place finisher, Southwind Roulette. Ginger Tree Alexis vacated the pocket spot at three quarters, and kicked away to win by one-length in the end, stopping the clock in 1:53.1. The drafting Special Package rallied up for place.
Ginger Tree Alexis is owned by Ginger Tree Stables, and Beverly and Daryl Breniser, and was driven by Yannick Gingras.
In the final division it was upsetter Doctor Terror (Western Terror-Doctor Seth) grinding first-over to win. The Blake Macintosh trainee was able to outlast race favourite - and second-place finisher - Eloquently Stated in the final strides, stopping the clock in 1:54.4. Morning line favourite Melanies Sharkette finished third.
Doctor Terror is owned by Stuart and trainer Blake Macintosh, and was driven by Mark Macdonald.
(Harrah’s Philadelphia)