by PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — In the three divisions of the third preliminary leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday (Aug. 11) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, winners Kissin In The Sand, Sansovina Hanover and Alexa’s Power were all victorious.

Curtis Salonick photo

Kissin In The Sand captured her PASS division at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 1:50.3.

Kissin In The Sand has battled with Youaremycandygirl for divisional bragging rights for the last several weeks, and many Pocono fans thought her very hard journey on the rim in winning the Lynch Championship during Sun Stakes Saturday (June 30) to be the outstanding performance of that evening and possibly of this year.

The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere had it much easier on Saturday as driver Scott Zeron tucked her third early then moved to the lead in front of the stands, with the pair pacing home to be three lengths clear in 1:50.3.

The Nancy Johansson trainee, owned by Marvin Katz and the Hatfield Stables, now has earnings of $403,822 with an 8-5-3-0 scorecard this year and a lifetime tally of 12 wins and $634,997 in winnings.

Alexa’s Power, who has proved a formidable opponent in this division, dominated in her division winning in 1:50.4. Tim Tetrick set sail with his filly early and the pair went right down the pike to check home four lengths to the good of previous double sire stakes winner Sidewalk Dancer.

Jim Campbell trains the winner of $319,776, who took a new mark, for Jeffrey and Michael Snyder.

Sansovina Hanover and driver Andrew McCarthy brought their “A” game to Pocono, going first-over against the other previous sire stakes two-time winner Serene Stride to win by 3-1/4 lengths.

Completing a sweep for sire Somebeachsomewhere, Sansovina Hanover recorded both her first win of the year and a new personal best, raising her earnings to $175,160 for trainer Ron Burke and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC; Silva, Purnel & Libby; Michelle Yanek; and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

The veteran Bettor’s Delight gelding Bettor’s Edge raised his career earnings to $2,161,456 as he won the $21,500 top conditioned pace, holding off the stretch surge of Music Is Art by a half-length in 1:50.3. Jim Morrill Jr. guided the pacer to Victory Lane for the 43rd time as he won for trainer Jennifer Lappe, who is also co-owner with Robert Santagata.

Tomorrow night at Pocono, the fillies’ Stallion Series counterparts go to the gate in three divisions. In their previous two preliminaries, there have been 10 divisions and 10 different winners; eight of those winners will be in Sunday’s contest.