by James Beviglia, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — On The Bright Side set a track record and Maven matched that record mark just a few races later on a scorching Friday night (August 5) 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 2-year-old trotting fillies.

Going into the night, the Pocono mark for 2-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 (Cantab Hall-Passionate Glide), 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 to win by a length in 1:56 to shatter the record. Sand Violent Blu finished third.

In the final division, Maven (Glidemaster-M Stewart), 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 backstretch and she coasted home to the victory by 2-3/4 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 (Cantab Hall-Beignet Hanover), driven and trained by Todd Schadel, played hardball on the lead and picked up a win by 2-3/4 lengths over Cupcake Hanover in a time of 1:57.1. Favorite Cocktail Attire settled for third. By A Nose Hanover has never finished worse than second in six lifetime races.

Order By Wish (Cantab Hall-Chatty Hanover), another young standout from the Takter stable, 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. Favorite Oasis Dream faded to second while Dream On Hanover managed third.