from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Smokinmombo — especially her nose — foiled a Team Takter sweep of the three divisions of the $222,867 second leg Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event held Wednesday (June 17) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Curtis Salonick photo

Smokinmombo was a narrow winner on Wednesday.

When the early smoke cleared, Smokinmombo found herself sitting second behind Wild Honey, the 1-10 Takter trainee who had won a division of the Sires’ first leg. Wild Honey maintained the lead approaching deep stretch, but the Explosive Matter filly Smokinmombo had an explosive last 50 yards to hang the smallest margin of victory on the chalk in 1:53.4, completing one sweep in this, the night’s third division — all Wednesday’s winners took lifetime marks.

Aaron Merriman handled Smokinmombo, now a winner of three straight, for trainer Chris Beaver, who is also co-owner with Synerco Ventures Inc. and James Gallagher.

Sire Explosive Matter had a double Sires credit Wednesday, as his daughter Smexi overcame the outside post nine to post the biggest Sires victory margin, 1-1/4 lengths, while stopping the clock in 1:53.3. Corey Callahan handled the filly, who won her second consecutive race, for Jimmy Takter and her ownership of Christina Takter, John Fielding, Herb Liverman and Jim Fielding.

The Donato Hanover filly Sarcy emerged as the only repeat Sires winner as she warded off the late charge of Day Lily to win by a neck in 1:53.1. Yannick Gingras had sulky duties for Takter, with wife Christina and the Fieldings in the ownership combine of Sarcy, now with a winning string of three, along with Oakwood Farms.