by James Beviglia, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Production won his fifth consecutive race and posted the day’s fastest Pennsylvania Sires Stakes time on Friday afternoon (August 31) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. There were five Sires Stakes divisions held for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the trot.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Dave Palone piloted Production to a 1:57.1 triumph.

The star of the day was clearly Production, who left from post position eight in his division. He sat back early before coasting by the leaders in the backstretch and trotting away to win in a romp.

The winning time of 1:57.1 was more than a full second faster than the other winning stakes times. Dave Palone did the driving for trainer Kelly O’Donnell. Skad’s Winner was a distant second and Dreamlandsbroadway got the show.

That makes five wins in a row and six of seven lifetime for Production, the 1-2 race favorite. He now sits atop the Sires Stakes points standings in the 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings grouping.

Another colt making it six out of seven wins in his brief career was Lear Jetta, who dominated his split with a gate-to-wire win in 1:58.2. Driver Tim Tetrick never had an anxious moment aboard the colt, who is trained by Robert Myers. Myers had driven Lear Jetta as well before handing the reins over to Tetrick, the nation’s leading driver. Pembroke Lane trailed Lear Jetta, the 3-5 shot, in second while Dreamlandsespresso rallied for the show.

Tetrick also worked his magic later on with Bet On Broadway, who went gate-to-wire for a Sires Stakes win despite failing to hit the board in his previous three races. Bet On Broadway, trained by Randy Beeckman, won at 8-1 in 1:59.2. Manhattan finished second and Yarborough Hanover was third.

Driver Richard Stillings picked up the remaining two Sires Stakes wins. Lucky Jim picked up his maiden win in one division with Stillings aboard. The colt, a 6-1 shot, took the early lead and led all the way in 1:58.2. Charles Stillings is the trainer. Andover’s Son picked up the place and Andover America, the 2-5 favorite who was previously unbeaten in four races, rallied for third after breaking stride early.

Stillings also won aboard First Pleasurelane, who survived when favorite Dauntless De Vie went on a break as he was making his move in the stretch. First Pleasurelane, who hails from the barn of Richard Gillock, paid off at 7-2 with his win in 2:00. Counsel managed second while Dauntless De Vie had to settle for the show.

Pennsylvania Sires Stakes action continues on Saturday afternoon (September 1) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with four divisions of the 2-year-old colts and geldings on the pace.