by Jim Beviglia, publicity assistant, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — 2-year-old filly Tidewaterdragonfly stayed unbeaten after three career starts, winning a Pennsylvania Sires Stake on Saturday afternoon (September 9) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

With the win, the filly pacer punched her ticket to the Pennsylvania Championship Finals, to be held at Pocono on Saturday, September 16. Four Sires Stake divisions were held for two-year-old pacing fillies, giving them one last chance to reach the top eight in the point standings and qualify for the finals.

Tidewaterdragonfly led all the way in posting a 1:53.3 mile, the fastest stakes-winning time of the day. She turned back Western Graduate, who had swept the first three legs of the Sires Stakes and will still reach the final. George Napolitano, Jr., who had five wins on the card, drove Tidewaterdragonfly for trainer Kelly O’Donnell.

Top Shelf Hanover is also headed to the final after picking up her maiden win in another division in 1:55.1. Tony Hall drove for trainer Randy Bendis.

The other two division winners, both trained by Steven LeBlanc, fell just short of reaching the top eight. Joe Pavia, Jr. drove Philadelphia to a win in 1:54.4, while Tom Jackson did the honors aboard Yasmeen Blue Chip in 1:56.3.

Joining the aforementioned trio of fillies in the top eight are Jayne’s Character, Village Mirage, Blissful Erin, Jerry’s Girl and Omen Hanover.