by John Zimich, publicity director, Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Several top three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will be competing on Saturday night (July 31) in five divisions of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes at The Downs at Pocono. Each of the races will carry a purse of more than $24,000.

In the first division, Marchand, who drew the number one post, has won six of 15 races this season with a lifetime mark of 1:51³ at the Meadowlands. Pleasing Artist, leaving from the third post, has also won six times this season with a lifetime mark of 1:51³ established at the Meadows. You Rock, drawing the six post, has won four times this year with a lifetime mark of 1:51⁴ at the Meadows.

Brandon’s Cowboy, trained by Mark Ford and driven by George Napolitano, Jr., has drawn the four post for the second division of the Sires Stake. Brandon’s Cowboy won the 2004 Berry’s Creek Final at the Meadowlands in 1:51. A winner of six of 12 starts this season, Brandon’s Cowboy was sixth in the Meadowlands Pace Final this season with a 1:49³ clocking and only three lengths behind the winner.

Skydancer Hanover, trained by Mark Harder and driven by George Napolitano, Jr., will be making his third start of the year at the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack. Skydancer Hanover won this year’s Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace Final at The Downs at Pocono with a time of 1:51¹. In Skydancer Hanover’s last race, which was July 10 in a Reynolds Memorial Stake division here, he finished second. Chris Oakes, a trainer and owner at The Downs at Pocono, owns part of Skydancer Hanover, who drew the six post for Saturday night’s race.

Up Front Brad, with Dave Palone in the bike, will be leaving from the one hole in the same race with Skydancer Hanover. Up Front Brad has won four of nine races this year and two straight. One of the wins was a 1:51³ clocking over the five-eighths-mile Meadows surface.

On Sunday, The Downs at Pocono will host the three-year-old fillies competing in the Sires Stakes.