by Jim Beviglia, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Father Patrick’s sophomore season picked up where his 2-year-old campaign left off, as the trotting superstar coasted to an easy win in a $37,262 division of the Dickerson Cup in the Historic Series on Wednesday night (May 21) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Curtis Salonick photo

Father Patrick was a 1:53.3 winner for driver Yannick Gingras.

Facing a field of six 3-year-old colts and geldings as the 1-9 favorite, Father Patrick (Cantab Hall-Gala Dream), winner of 10 of 11 as a 2-year-old including the Breeders Crown final, easily made the front end on the front stretch and never had an anxious moment from there.

The 3-year-old star of the Jimmy Takter barn won by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:53.3 on a “good” track without driver Yannick Gingras ever lifting a finger. Amped Up Hanover was best of the rest in second and Marathon Man picked up the show.

The winner is owned by Father Patrick Stable.

In the other Dickerson Cup division held at Pocono on Wednesday night, Auspicious Hanover (Andover Hall-Above All Hanover) took advantage of a late break by leader It Really Matters and picked up the victory in 1:54.1.

Driven and trained by Charlie Norris, Auspicious Hanover was the longest shot on the board at 14-1 and broke his maiden with the win. Dony Andreas finished second and It Really Matters hung on for the show.

Acadia Farms Inc., Dale Sweet and Douglas Allen are the owners of Auspicious Hanover.