The Pennsylvania Stallion Series, a new series for two-year-olds, opened Saturday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with three divisions for two-year-old trotting fillies
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Captivation, trained by Jimmy Takter and driven by Anders Svanstedt, turned in the fastest time of the three victors. It was a 1:59 mile for the first life start for the two-year-old Cantab Hall filly. Svanstedt sat second for the opening quarter with Keystone Fling (Greg Grismore) on top with timer clicked off in 28.3.
Svanstedt, who was collecting his first win ever in North America, tipped out coming by the three-eighths pole and took the lead in the race, getting to the half in :58.4 and three-quarters in 1:28.3 before stopping the clock in 1:59.
Finishing second was Perfect Chance (Mark Gingrich) with Keystone Fling third.
The opening division that had a five horse field was won by M S Heather M, a two-year-old S Js Photo filly driven to victory by Joe Pavia Jr. in the time of 2:00.4. Andovermetreasure (Howard Parker) was second while KT Dixie Hummer (Ed McNeight Jr.) getting third.
Liz, who sat third or fourth for much of the race, won the other $20,000 division with George Napolitano Jr. in the sulky. The time of this mile was 2:01. Finishing second was Si Bon Hall (Mike Simons) with third going to Pearly Princess (Tom Jackson).
The new series is raced the racing day before a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event at a given track. There will be four preliminary legs and a $40,000 championship for each of the four divisions of two-year-olds.
(Pocono Downs)