by Jerry Connors, for the PA Harness Racing Commission

Harrisburg, PA — The 2-year-old colt trotters raced their final preliminaries at Harrah’s Philadelphia the last two days, and the calculated point standings for the finals, also to be held at Philly on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 15), are as follows:

Sire Stakes Championship (listings all in order): Uva Hanover, Don Dorado and Keystone Wasabi (tied), Explosive DeVie, Exodus Hanover, Il Sogno Dream, Monte Cristo Spur, Amped Up Hanover. AEs: Auspicious Hanover and Kumbaya DeVie; the latter tied in points with SJ’s Encore, but had more earnings as a money tiebreaker is used.

Consolation: The two AEs if they do not scratch in, plus SJ’s Encore, Paparazzi, Truxton (the latter two with even points but Paparazzi with more money), Whitey Lauxmont, Sarcastic Hanover, and Father Patrick (earning the last spot because of earning more than Song In My Heart and Another Transcript, with whom he tied on points).

Stallion Series Championship (PcD, Sept. 6): Monkey Man (undefeated in his four starts), Who Wants Soup, Dominum Deo, G Force Hanover, Faust, Explosive Cash — and then a complicated situation for the last two spots: Broadway Phantom, Master Kemp, Poppy Sydney Ridge, and Yankee Fashion all tied on points; all also had the same money except Poppy Syndey Ridge, who thus goes to the tenth-pace slot, so in theory the other three, tied in points and money, would be in a shake for the final two Stallion Series Championship spots.

The final preliminary events for 2-year-old trotting fillies will be held at Harrah’s Philadelphia next Thursday and Friday. (And the new sensation Cooler Schooner would have to have a 1-2 finish in the Sire Stakes to have any chance at making the Championship).

No freshman trotting filly swept her first three Sire Stakes legs, and with the other divisions done with their prelim work, it can be said that no Sire Stakes Championship horse will go undefeated in the four legs: the closest will be 3-year-old trotting filly Frau Blucher and 3-year-old pacing filly Somwherovrarainbow, who had three wins and a second.

On the other hand, going into their respective Stallion Series Championships with a chance at a “sweep” could be 2-year-old trotting colt Monkey Man, 2-year-old pacing filly McVita Bella, 3-year-old paciing colts Big Time Promise and Shock It To ‘Em, and possibly 2-year-old trotting filly Nitro Nittany if she wins Thursday.