by James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator, Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack

Chester, PA — Prohibitive favorites In Focus and Native Bride refused to disappoint their backers, while Classic Lane and Atochia turned in upset performances in Sunday (September 7) afternoon’s $150,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes finals for 3-year-olds at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack.

Scott Cantor photo

Native Bride (Brian Sears) was a 1:50.4 winner in her PASS Final.

Native Bride ($3.00) sat well off leaders Dragonfest (Andy Miller) and Riven Hanover (Tim Tetrick) in the early stages of the 3-year-old pacing filly division, brushing to the front after an opening quarter of :27.4 and clearing easily before reaching the bridge turn.

Having taken control through intermediate fractions of :56.1 and 1:23.1, Native Bride paced a middle half of :54.3, grueling despite a slight tailwind up the backstretch.

Although such a middle half would stifle even the most seasoned distaff pacer, Brian Sears kicked clear with the daughter of Allamerican Native-Nova at the head of the stretch, opening up to win by 5-3/4 lengths in 1:50.4. Respectable (Yannick Gingras) fanned three-wide at the head of the stretch and closed to be second, with Don’t Deny Me (David Miller) tipping off cover as well and finishing third.

Joe Pavia, Jr. trains Native Bride for owners Jay Sears and the T H Stable, LLC.

In Focus ($3.20) turned in a pillar-to-post performance in the 3-year-old trotting colt and gelding division, making the front through a first quarter of :27.2 before backing into the field through a :58 middle half. On the far turn, Dave Palone opened up the gelded son of S J’s Photo-Beverly Crusher to a 3-1/2 length lead, then held off a late challenge from Dennis (Mike Simons) despite an all-out drive.

In Focus prevailed by a half-length in 1:54.3, with Dennis finishing second. The Budster (David Miller) made an extended three-wide bid to finish third.

Jimmy Takter trains In Focus for owners Christina Takter, John Fielding, and Jim Fielding.

The 3-year-old trotting filly division saw Classic Lane ($14.60) score a minor upset over 8-5 favorite Swoosh Hanover (Tim Tetrick), turning in an ambitious first-over performance and winning by a neck in 1:55.4.

With Swoosh Hanover dictating the terms up the backstretch, David Miller pressed with Classic Lane from first-over, staying right with the leader through the far turn and subsequently wearing her down in mid-stretch. Classic Lane held off a late charge from Poster Pin Up (Brian Sears), who finished second, and Morguns Sweetheart (Eric Goodell) was third. Swoosh Hanover had to settle for fourth.

Peter Foley trains the winner, a daughter of Lindy Lane-Heartland Classic, for the Hatfield Stables.

In the much-anticipated 3-year-old pacing colt and gelding division, even-money favorite Upfront Hannahsboy (Tim Tetrick) was absent from the early pace, setting up second-over up the backstretch. However, he failed to reach Atochia ($23.40), who parlayed perfect pocket position into a 1:50.2 victory over a front-running Lonestar Legend (David Miller).

Yannick Gingras settled Atochia in the pocket just after the first turn, edging out when the first-over First Rate (Eric Goodell) began to fade near the top of the stretch, and won by 1-1/4 lengths under strong urging. Lonestar Legend was second, while Keystone Nautilus (Tony Morgan) rallied for third. Mystery Chase (Dave Palone) grabbed fourth money, while Upfront Hannahsboy was fifth.

Mickey Burke trains the winner, a gelded son of Dragon Again-Hot Shot Michelle, for owners Sylvia Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, LLC, the JJK Stables, and the M1 Stable.