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The local stakes season for 2-year-olds opened with a bang on the Monday (June 30) afternoon before the Fourth of July at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, as Mr Big Spender trotted the fastest mile of the year for a baby over a 5/8-mile track, 1:54.2, when he won one of four $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event.

Driver Devon Tharps gave Later Dudes an aggressive front-stepping steer while never giving an inch in a back-half sprint to hold on for victory at odds of 8-1 in the $40,000 Open Handicap Pace at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Monday (June 30).

Branda Teague’s Hundred Dollar Man ($5.20, Montrell Teague) was a 1:51.4 winner in the Harrington Raceway $18,000 Open feature for pacers Monday (June 30).

Emoticon Legacy, who in his most recent start won the Goodtimes Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park with the fastest mile ever by a 3-year-old trotter in Canada, will meet returning Dan Patch and O’Brien awards winner Maryland on Thursday in the $320,000 Grade 2 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial at Vernon Downs.

The Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings was postponed a day due to heavy rain, but that didn’t slow down the Tardif Taskforce from sweeping both $12,000-plus divisions on Sunday (June 29) at Bangor Raceway.

Geovany Hernandez powered from off the speed to win both American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) pacing events at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (June 29) while Tony Beltrami delivered a pair of odds-on chalks to win both AHDC trotting events later in the day at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Pocono Downs.

Granted it’s only their second career start, but there is a showdown set for Wednesday afternoon (July 2) at Buffalo Raceway in the $110,200 New York Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old filly trotters.

The Sunday night (June 30) harness racing program at Running Aces was highlighted by the $42,750 Ron Banks Memorial FFA mares pace and the 2025 edition delivered plenty of action and excitement.

Braxten Boyd, the young driver becoming known for his ability to get the most out of longshots, guided 10-1 shot Dire Straits to a 1:52.4 victory in the $25,000 fast-class handicap trot Sunday night (June 29) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.