by James Beviglia, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Lear Jetta continued his dominance over the Pennsylvania trotting ranks, but Photo Bear stole a little bit of his thunder.

The two trotters took aim at a 7-year-old track record at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs during Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action on Tuesday afternoon, June 10. Just two races after Lear Jetta matched the standard of 1:54.1 for 3-year-old trotting colts set by the great SJ’s Caviar in 2001, Photo Bear went out and broke it in 1:53.4.

Five divisions of the PA Sire Stakes were held on the day at Pocono. Purses for the five divisions ranged from $41,727 to $42,128.

Lear Jetta kicked off the Sire Stakes action with his record-matching win in the first split. Driver Tim Tetrick never asked his trotter for much as he coasted to a 2-1/4 length win. Production finished second and An Honorable Man got third.

That makes 14 wins in 16 lifetime starts for Lear Jetta, including three-for-three this year. He’s defending the Pennsylvania Championaship he won last year as a 2-year-old for trainer Robert Myers as he pushed his career earnings over $434,000.

Photo Bear followed that up with his record-setting win in the second split. Trained by Erv Miller and driven to victory by Andy Miller, the colt, unraced as a 2-year-old, added to the four wins he picked up earlier this season in Illinois in his first ever stakes test. Pembroke Lane finished second and Where’s Roy was third.

Trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer took care of the third split with The Pres, who picked up his second straight Sire Stakes win, this time in a career-best 1:55.1. Uknowme was second and Dennis was third. The Prez now has three wins in just four lifetime starts.

The favorites had owned the day until that point, but 1-5 shot Lucky Jim made a late break in the stretch in the fourth division, opening the door for First Pleasurelane to get up for the win in 1:56 at 9-2. Tim Tetrick drove for trainer Rich Gillock. Mablesimamazed finished second and Skad’s Winner picked up the show.

In the final split of the day, Dave Palone guided In Focus to an unhurried win on the front end in 1:57.2. The trotter is now a perfect four-for-four in 2008 for trainer Jimmy Takter. Reputation finished second and Bluestone picked up the show.