by Jim Beviglia, Publicity Assistant, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Filippo Hanover pulled off a stunning upset at 80-1, capping an exciting day of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Friday afternoon.

There were six divisions of the sire stakes held for two-year-old colts and geldings on the pace, as the horses continue to attempt to accumulate enough points for the Pennsylvania Championship Finals, to be held at Pocono on September 16.

Filippo Hanover was lightly regarded despite coming off her maiden win at The Meadows. Pilgrims Toner, the race favorite, overcame an early break and led into the stretch. When he began to weary, driver/trainer Ray Paver kicked Filippo Hanover into gear on the outside and got up in time for the win in 1:54.3.

Driver David Miller picked up two stakes wins as he managed the pocket trip before rallying late in both victories. Miller drove Charley Barley to the win in 1:55.1 for trainer James Arledge, Jr. Then he did the honors aboard Rusty’s Casino, trained by Steven LeBlanc, in 1:54.2.

Rusty’s For Real turned out the afternoon’s star performance, pacing the fastest stakes mile of the day in a 1:53:1 win. Brad Hanners drove and Robert Myers trains Rusty’s For Real, now unbeaten after three races, including two sire stakes wins.

The other stakes winners were Kansas Wildcat, driven by Joe Pavia, Jr. and trained by Harold Purdy, in 1:54.3, and Springlake Artist, driven by Andy Miller and trained by Robert Siegelman, in 1:55.3.