There were three divisions of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes races for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers on a muggy Thursday afternoon (July 13) at Harrah's Philadelphia. They each went for purses of approximately $53,000.
The first division was taken by Jimmy Takter trainee Pro Beach (Yannick Gingras). The two-year-old colt by Somebeachsomewhere - Darlins Delight used the pole position to his advantage, making the lead and rating the quarter in :28. The controlled tempo continued through the half (:57.3), but picked up dramatically closer to home. Aleppo Hanover (George Brennan) attacked first over, with Chris Ryder trainee This Is The Plan (Dave Miller) riding his coattails. In the stretch, Pro Beach held off the fast closing This Is The Plan to win by a nose in 1:53.3 in his first career start. Suddenly Sam (Marcus Miller) finished third.
Pro Beach ($3.20) is owned by Brixton Medical, Marvin Katz, and The Hatfield Stables.
Division two saw Wild Bill (Scott Zeron) power past Nutcracker Sweet (Tim Tetrick) to win under wraps in 1:52.3. The son of Somebeachsomewhere - Wild West Show sat early, as Julie Miller trainee Hayden Hanover (Andy Miller) made the lead. The pacesetter was immediately confronted by Nutcracker Sweet, who cleared just after the quarter. Wild Bill pounced past the half, unleashing a strong uncovered initiative to seize command at the three-quarter pole. Nutcracker Sweet was second, while Hayden Hanover finished third.
A full brother to Huntsville, Wild Bill is owned by trainer Ray Schnittker.
In the third division, Done Well grinded gamely en-route to an easy victory. The son of Well Said let the speed develop in front of him early, as Jimmy Takter trainee Decoy (Dave Miller) brushed to the top. Done Well confronted the leader at the three-quarters, and went on to a willing victory in a day's fastest 1:51.2. Karpathian Kid (Marcus Miller) finished second, while Decoy held third.
Now two-for-two as a freshman, Done Well is owned by the conglomerate of Stambaugh, Wingfield Brothers, Leeman, and Keith, and is trained by Brian Brown.
(with files from Harrah's Philadelphia)