Chester, PA –– In addition to the Invitational races on Super Sunday (May 26) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, there were Sire Stakes and Stallion Series races as the 3-year-old Pennsylvania-sired male pacers raced their third of four preliminary legs.

The $154,571 Sire Stakes were contested in three divisions, and first to the wire in the first division was Rush In, three-for-three in the Sire Stakes and successful in his last four starts. The Heston Blue Chip colt brushed to the lead after Ivy Park took the field to the top in :26.4, rattled off splits of :55 and 1:22.2, then easily held off the potential pocket rocket by a length while taking a new mark of 1:49.4. Scott Zeron drove the talented colt for trainer Linda Toscano and Let It Ride Stables, Odds On Racing, South Mountain Stables, and Island Sun Stable.

Captain Skippy (Captaintreacherous) got away third in his PaSS cut as Dancin Champion rolled to splits of :25.4, :54.2, and 1:22, with favored Armada Hanover retaining the pocket. Dexter Dunn vacated the pylons with Captain Skippy late down the back, with Southwind Celsius joining the action from far back on the far turn. In a big battle to the finish, Captain Skippy was home first in 1:50.2, a new mark, by three-quarters of a length. Southwind Celsius and Armada Hanover were closest to the wire, the former edging the latter, behind the winner, trained by Ake Svanstedt for Ake Svanstedt Inc. and Joe Sbrocco.

Captain Albano won his Sire Stakes split in 1:49.4. Grace Zimmers photo.

The final Sires section was billed as a matchup between Gem Quality, 2023 Breeders Crown winner, and Captain Albano, last year’s freshman champion, with Gem Quality drawing post five, just inside ”The Captain,” and being made a slight favorite. Gem Quality made the early lead then yielded as Captain Albano only paid a :27 price for the top. He went on to middle splits of :55.2 and 1:23, then sprinted home in :26.4 and effectively blunted his opponent’s late rally, winning by three parts of a length in 1:49.4.

Captain Albano now has two wins in as many 2024 starts, both Sire Stakes legs, and gave Captaintreacherous a second Sire Stakes credit while winning for driver Todd McCarthy, trainer Noel Daley, and the ownership of Patricia Stable, L A Express & Sjoblom Inc. and Michael Dolan.

There were also six $20,000 Stallion Series divisions for the same group.

Women Layer raced to his third straight Stallion Series victory, and remained undefeated in six seasonal starts, proving overpowering while lowering his mark to 1:49.3. Todd McCarthy drove the Sweet Lou gelding, who also has an All-Stars triumph on his resume, for trainer Brett Pelling and the combine of Howard and Judith Taylor, Order By Stable AB, and Jerry Silva.

“Team Timmy T,” driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Tim Twaddle, combined with the Captaintreacherous colt Arson as the sophomore posted his second straight Stallion Series success in a lifetime best 1:50.1. Arson brushed to the lead in front of the stands, then held sway to the wire for Thestable Arson Group and Hutchinson Harness.

Captaintreacherous picked up another sire credit with the ridgling Rock The Captain N. The winner found stretch clearance after a third-in trip to win in 1:52.2 for driver Todd McCarthy, trainer Tony Alagna, and the partnership of Ken Jacobs and Curtin Anz Stables.

The Always B Miki colt Steely Knife overcame the difficult tuck-then-first-over journey to lower his speed badge to 1:50.3. Yannick Gingras steered the Ron Burke trainee for Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services Inc., Phil Collura, and J&T Silva–Purnel & Libby.

2023 Fair Sire Stakes champion Ante Up Hanover has stepped up his game in 2024 and is now a two-time Stallion Series winner after a success in 1:51 to equal his lifetime mark. The Betting Line gelding, already a 13-time winner in his career, went on to the lead after hard early usage and paced home nicely for trainer/driver Todd Schadel, also co-owner with Christine Schadel.

Schadel won a second Stallion Series event with another Betting Line gelding, Twiggs Pub, who set a mark of 1:53.3. Twiggs Pub raced forwardly-placed, came out late on the far turn, and won as a 12-1 shot for trainer Cody Schadel, Todd’s son; father and son share ownership with “mom” Christine.