On The Bright Side set a track record and Maven matched that record mark just a few races later on a scorching Friday night of racing action at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
.
The records came during Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action at Pocono, as four divisions, each carrying a purse of $56,134, were held for two-year-old trotting fillies.
Going into the night, the Pocono mark for two-year-old trotting fillies was 1:56.2, set by Undercover Lover back in 2006 and matched last October in the Breeders Crown eliminations by Sweet Love.
On The Bright Side, trained by Jimmy Takter and driven by Dave Palone, took aim at that mark in the night’s third Sire Stakes division. The filly, who was coming off a romping win in her debut, took the lead early and held off a strong challenge in the stretch from Delicious in the stretch to win by a length in 1:56 to shatter the record. Sand Violent Blu finished third.
In the final division, Maven, who come in unbeaten after three stakes victories, wasn’t about to be upstaged. Yannick Gingras guided her first-over to the lead on the back stretch, and she coasted home to the victory by two and three-quarter lengths. Maven, trained by Jonas Czernyson, matched the record-setting time of 1:56 in the victory. Sculpted Vanity finished second while Broadway Beauty got the show.
In the night’s first Sire Stakes race, By A Nose Hanover, driven and trained by Todd Schadel, played hardball on the lead and picked up a win in 1:57.1 by two and three-quarter lengths over Cupcake Hanover. Favourite Cocktail Attire settled for third. By A Nose Hanover has never finished worse than second in six lifetime races.
Order By Wish, another young standout from the Takter, showed off a powerful closing kick from the pocket to win the night’s remaining Sire Stakes division. Matt Kakaley drove Order By Wish, who picked up her maiden win in 1:56.3 by five lengths. Favourite Oasis Dream faded to second whole Dream On Hanover managed 3rd.
(Pocono Downs)