Wilkes-Barre, PA – Special Way was the Breeders Crown champion and voted the two-year-old Trotting Filly of the Year in 2022, and she’s undefeated in three starts this year, but yet there is still a question if Special Way is even the best filly in Åke Svanstedt’s barn.

Bond was very impressive in her PA All-Stars race at Pocono, her seasonal debut. Curtis Salonick photo.

The cause of doubt is the Southwind Frank filly Bond, who won the PA Sires Final, Kindergarten Final, and Goldsmith Maid Final last year; in her seasonal debut at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania Sunday evening (June 4) she cleared to the lead from post eight before the first turn, rated the pace, then sprinted home in :26.4 for a powerful victory in 1:52.3, equaling her mark. Her victory came in one of three $30,000 divisions of her Pennsylvania All-Stars event.

Railee Something had her share of backers as she was sent off at 1-1 vs. Bond’s 4-5 off three wins to start the year but she was out-footed away from post six by her rival’s instant acceleration, settling for the pocket through soft fractions of :28, :56.4, and 1:25.4. Railee Something pulled out of the pocket mid-turn, came her own last quarter in :26.4 and despite the giant effort of her own, lost a little stretch ground to the winner, who was a length to the good at the finish for trainer and driver Svanstedt (via Åke Svanstedt Inc.) and co-owners Little E LLC and L. Berg Inc.

Angelpedia rang up a lifetime best of 1:53.2 in winning her All-Stars division for driver Mike Wilder, trainer Dan Altmeyer, and owners Gil Short and Ross Stables LLC. The Cantab Hall filly was in front before the :27.4 initial fraction, got a breather to a :57.1 half then sped up the three-quarters to 1:25.3, keeping the accelerator down through a :27.4 final split in winning by 4¼ lengths.

Heavy favorite Fashion Annie got her first victory of the year by taking the other All-Stars split in 1:54.4. After a :28 opener, the Donato Hanover filly was hard used to reach a crowded front end by the :56.4 half. Fashion Annie hit the three-quarters in 1:25.2, then looked in control to the wire with a two length final margin for driver Tim Tetrick, trainer Jim Campbell, and Fashion Farms LLC.

The American Harness Drivers Club made its first Pocono appearance of 2023 in two $11,000 contests. The faster winner was the CR Royal Flush gelding Willy Walton, with owner and driver James Slendorn going to the top early with the heavy favorite and never surrendering the lead, staying safe with a :28.4 last quarter to stop the timer at 1:57 with the Chris Height trainee.

The other section saw 2022 Amateur Driver of the Year Tony Beltrami come up the inside to win an exciting four-horse stretch duel with the Bar Hopping gelding Lindy’s Booze Cruz in 1:58.2. The Paul Fusco trainee is owned by Elite Harness Racing LLC.

Racing continues at Pocono on Monday and Tuesday, with a 1 p.m. post time. Program pages for all Pocono races are or will be available at https://www.phha.org/downsmsppps.html.