by Jim Beviglia, Publicity Assistant, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Ben Stafford, Jr. drove Hennessy Hanover to the afternoon’s most impressive victory in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action on Tuesday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Hennessy Hanover’s winning time of 1:52:3 was the fastest among six Sire Stakes divisions that were held for two-year-old colts and geldings on the pace. The horses that accumulate the most points in the four legs of the Sire Stakes will head to the Pennsylvania Championship Finals to be held on September 16 at Pocono.

Hennessy Hanover, trained by Ben Stafford, earned his maiden victory after failing to hit the board in two previous starts. He went off as a 22-1 long shot.

Trainer/driver Ray Paver brought in an even bigger bomber, guiding The Real Dan to a win at 26-1. The colt had been no better than 5^th in four previous starts but rallied around the final turn to get up in 1:55:1.

Driver Yannick Gingras picked up two Sire Stakes wins. He drove The Double Dion, trained by Kelvin Harrison, to a winning mile of 1:53:1, and then later doubled up with Art Star, trained by John Marshall, also in 1:53:1.

The winners of the other two divisions were Pilgrims Toner, trained by Abram Stoltzfus and driven by George Napolitano, Jr., in 1:55:1, and Rusty’s Cousin, trained by Steven LeBlanc and driven by David Miller, in 1:53:2. It was the second stakes victory in four days for Rusty’s Cousin, as he also won at Rosecroft on Saturday.