Both Captain Corey and In Range added a third Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (PASS) victory to their credits in the $206,722 fourth and final preliminary leg of their two-year-old division on the Sunday (Aug. 23) card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, leaving fans with anticipation about the group’s Championship event, which will be held here on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 5.
Captain Corey, a son of Googoo Gaagaa–Luv U All, remained undefeated in three starts with a seven-and-a-quarter length victory in 1:55. Trainer-driver Åke Svanstedt controlled the pace with easy early fractions of :28.4 and :59.2, and then the big no-nonsense colt strode home in :55.3/:27.3 while looking every bit of a national-level contender. The winner, who has earned $138,063 in just his three PASS starts, is co-owned by Åke Svanstedt Inc., SRF Stable, Knutsson Trotting Inc. and Midnight Sun Partners Inc..
The Bar Hopping–Ilia colt In Range used the same blueprint in taking his PASS cut: backing to a :58.3 half after a :27.3 opener under Tim Tetrick’s guidance, then sprinted to the wire in :56.3/:28 while one-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of Fly Light. In Range won three of his four Sire Stakes starts and also has a Pennsylvania All-Stars win to his credit. He now has earned $178,653 for trainer Marcus Melander and the partnership of AMG Stable Inc., Kenneth Kjellgren, Tomas Hans Asell, and Rick Wahlstedt.
The unofficial point standings (contact the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission for the official compilation) contains, in this order: In Range, Captain Corey, Fly Light, Take All Comers, Type A, Ethan T Hanover, Johan Palema, Tart Tongue, Arnold N Dicky, and Bacardi.
In four $20,000 final-round Stallion Series divisions, trainer-driver Svanstedt also had the fastest winner, the Bar Hopping–Woman Of Character colt Lepanto, who never looked back from the rail. He withstood a challenge from Sunny Crockett, who was trying for a “sweep” of his Stallion Series prelims, by a neck in a lifetime best of 1:55.1, avenging his loss in an earlier Stallion race. Lepanto’s ownership is Esa Lahtinen, Jussi Hietalahti, and Arvo Ylitalo.
Trainer Nancy Takter sent a pair of winners in Stallion Series action: the Father Patrick–Oh Oh Hereshecomes colt Tremendously, who broke his maiden in 1:58.2 in rein to Joe Bongiorno for owners Goran Falk and Christina Takter; and the Cantab Hall–Gala Dream colt Goodashim, who took his first win in 1:57.1 for Dexter Dunn and owning partners Christina Takter, Greathorse, Robert Rudolph, and David Reid.
Cantab Hall picked up a second Stallion Series siring credit with the gelding Halls Of Valor, who broke his maiden in 1:57.1 for driver Tyler Buter, trainer John Butenschoen, and owners Harmony Oaks Racing Stable Inc. and Buter Farm Inc.
An unofficial Stallion Series points calculation gives this list in order: Sunny Crockett, Lindys Goin Crazy, Lepanto, Mister Boinga, The Irishman, Mystical King, Halls Of Valor, After Work and Lindys Booze Cruz (tie), and Armani Hanover. This final will be at The Meadows on Monday, Sept. 7.
(PHHA/Pocono)