by John Zimich, publicity director, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Federalreservenote, with Dave Palone in the sulky, and Pilgrims Taj, driven by Michel Lachance, won the first two of four divisions of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Friday (August 21) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Lachance came three wide at the top of the stretch to overcome Hard Livin (Dave Palone) and Marquesas (D.R. Ackerman) and won by a length over Hard Livin with Baximum (Brett Miller) coming on for third in the $65,883 race.

Monte Gelrod trains Pilgrims Taj, a Broadway Hall colt, who now has won two of four starts with two seconds.

In the second division of the night, it was Palone and Federalreservenote, a Tom Ridge colt, winning in 1:58. Pilgrims Chuckie (Lachance) was second in this race with third going to Frank Antonacci and Coco Lindy.

Federalreservenote, who now has won five of six starts in 2009, went wire-to-wire in this race from the five post. Jimmy Takter trains Federalreservenote.

Later in the evening, Freedom Ridge (Aaron Merriman) and Correctamundo (Richard Stillings) won the final two legs with times of 1:58 and 1:57.4, respectively. Harold Brocklehurst trains Freedom Ridge while Correctamundo is handled by Robbie Roberts.

In the featured Open Pace of the week, carrying a purse of $28,750, 8-1 shot John Adams, driven by Jim Taggart, Jr., came up the Pocono Pike (passing lane) to win by a nose over Poker Hat and Brett Miller. Time of the mile was 1:51.2 with longshot Upscale Hanover (Anthony Napolitano) third.

John Adams, trained by Anthony Salerno and a winner for the seventh time in 2009, sat third or fourth throughout much of the race before Taggart found the passing lane open and got up at the wire to win in a thriller over favorite Poker Hat.