by Jeff Zidek, for the MSOA

Washington, PA — The first round of Pennsylvania Sire Stake racing for 2010 is approaching quickly, with action slated for early May. Four sophomores preparing for those events are already champions, having been crowned the best in their class by the members of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association after their 2-year-old campaigns in 2009.

Here is an update on last year’s top freshmen, as voted by the members of the MSOA.

Farouche Hanover, last year’s top freshman pacing filly, has made one start so far this season for trainer and part-owner, Randy Bendis.

“Everything looks good, and we’re really happy with her,” said Bendis.

One key change for the daughter of McArdle this year will be the addition of lasix.

“We thought she may have been bleeding a little, late in her 2-year-old year,” said Bendis. “We checked her after her first start this year, there was a little blood, so we put her on lasix for her next start.”

She is being pointed toward the May Sire Stake at The Meadows, and will mostly race in Pennsylvania for the season.

Sand Savage, the top freshman colt pacer of 2009, also has recently returned to action.

According to owner Bill Sanders, “He finished second in his first start and paced in 1:55, and we’ll probably try to race him again after a week off. He trained down really well and we really didn’t push him too much in his first start.”

The colt is also aimed toward the first PA Sire Stake, but he may hit the road for several starts this season.

“We’d like to give him a chance at some other big races, like the Tattersalls and the Matron. We even kept him eligible to the Breeders Crown. We’ll give him a chance and see if he comes around. He’s a big, strong colt and we hope he comes around from last year.”

Liz, the top 2-year-old filly trotter of 2009, has been getting ready at Pocono Downs with trainer Tabitha Teresczak.

“She qualified there and will get a start or two, and we’ll be heading for The Meadows on May 11 for the Sire Stake,” said part-owner Bob Slowey. After that, however, her future is up in the air, he noted.

“We really don’t have any special plans for her, to be honest. We’ll have her in the first Sire Stake. If she’s not good enough for that group, we’ll try the Stallion Series. We do have her in a few other stakes, including the (Buckette) at Delaware.”

Correctamundo, who set a world record last year for 2-year-old gelding trotters, has been enjoying warmer weather all winter with trainer Robbie Roberts.

“He’s been in Florida, in Delray Beach, and shipped north (April 22),” said owner Tom Svrcek. “He will qualify up here and then his first race will be the PA Sire Stake in May. If he does well, we have him staked a little heavier than last year, when he was in PA races only.”

The first stakes events of the year will be for 3-year-old pacing fillies, with the Stallion Series set for Thursday, May 6, and the PA Sire Stake on Friday, May 7.