by Jerry Connors, the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Harrisburg, PA — With the conclusion of all four preliminary rounds of the pari-mutuel Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds after Thursday’s racing at Chester, the competitors for the $150,000 divisional championships, to be held Sunday, September 7, at Chester, are known.

The top eight pointgetters declaring into the final will be starters. This year the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes is also sponsoring $20,000 consolations for each division on Championship race day.

Below are the point standings of the divisions, based on 35-25-15-10-8-5-4-2-1 points being awarded for each finish. The top eight names, the sure finalists, are in bold; under that, the next eight names, tagged for the consolation, are in italics. When two horses tie in the point standings, money they have won in the p/m Sire Stakes is the separating factor, and the top 20 for each division are listed with the money tiebreaker shown if needed.

Only 3-year-old trotting colt In Focus was a perfect four-for-four in the preliminaries. Lear Jetta, second in the points in that division, could repeat his Championship at 2 if he is racing and ready for the Championship. The 2-year-old pacing colt champ of 2007, Idle Hour, will need mass defections if he is to defend his title, as he lies 14th in the point standings for his 2008 group.

The 2-year-old Sire Stakes horses still have a great deal of preliminary competition to race out before the top horses in their division, eligible for their $150,000 divisional championships at The Meadows on Tuesday, September 23, will be known.

Any questions about the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes program should be directed to Jerry Connors at (717) 787-5539.

Final 2008 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes points for 3-year-olds

3TC
In Focus–140
Lear Jetta–105
Dennis–95
The Pres–95
An Honorable Man–90
Production–85
Reputation–75
Casperdfrendlyhors–72
Pembroke Lane–70
The Budster–66
Skad’s Winner–63
Lucky Jim–58
First Pleasurelane–48–$24,467
Intimidator–48–$19,810
Mablesimamazed–48–$15,996
Uknowme–48–$15,635
Foggy Lane K–46
Photo Bear–45–$20,863
Twin B Caviar–45–$17,193
Awesome Wonder–40

3PC
Goddess’s Justin–95
Mystery Chase–95
Its That Time–90
Keystone Nautilus–90
First Rate–83
Sand Shooter–70
Upfront Hannahsboy–70
Truponder–68
Atochia–65
Lonestar Legend–60–$44,698
Lisfinny–60–$38,106
Lookout Hanover–60–$22,569
Drive All Night–56
Idle Hour–50
Real Celebration–46
Sheer Brilliance–45–$24,128
Arterosa–45–$13,973
Oaks Hanover–42
Dragoon K–41
Alastair Hanover–40

3TF
Hawaiianphotograph–109
Classic Lane–95
Swoosh Hanover–95
Morgun’s Sweetheart–85
Poster Pin Up–80
Zitomira–75
Custom Model–70
Kiss The Dice–60
Dancing On Stage–55–$23,116
Taboo Yankee–55–$20,022
Charged Freight–54–$26,299
Carolling–54–$22,916
Olivia’s Jewel–52
Aj’s Baby–51
Diamondsonbroadway–49
Corfu Hanover–46
I Believe–40
Chanteuse–39
Beat The Bue–38
Stage Show–35–$25,108
Amy Kane–35–$20,726–(Tie)
Saorse–35–$20,726–(Tie)

3PF
Dragonfest–120
Lucy B–120
Pavla Hanover–110
Native Bride–105
Up Front Bethann–85
Riven Hanover–80
Respectable–79
Don’t Deny Me–65–$33,014
Saymynamesaymyname–65–$20,999
Twin Oaks Tess–62
Makerbark–60–$34,048
Flying Color–60–$24,271
Ali Rush–50–$25,439
Fiddle Rose–50–$21,382
Panitarium–47
Real Nasty Miss–46
Thong–35–$21,276
Hl Showbiz–35–$13,132
See And Be Seen–35–$10,638
Queen’s Character–31