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

Wilkes-Barre, PA — 2-year-old filly Undercover Lover won her third consecutive Pennsylvania Sires Stake on Friday afternoon (September 8) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, stamping herself as the one to beat in her trotting division for the Pennsylvania Championship Finals coming up next week.

There were four divisions held for the two-year-old trotting fillies, who attempted to accumulate enough points to reach the finals at Pocono on Saturday, September 16.

Driver Joe Pavia, Jr. never had an anxious moment with Undercover Lover, who led at every pole and won in 1:59. Lori Castranuovo trains the Tagliabue filly, who heads into the finals with wins in four of her last five overall.

Upmarket Hanover also won her third Sires Stake race, driving first-over and getting up in 2:00.1. Mike Wilder did the driving for trainer Dan Altmeyer.

The day’s fastest stakes-winning time was posted by Pembroke Spice, who won in 1:58.1. She’s won her last two at Pocono for trainer Randy Bendis and driver Tony Hall.

Sudden Susan won the day’s final split, as legendary driver Herve Filion put her on the lead and stayed there, winning in 1:59.4. It was a big win for the filly, trained by Clarence Martin, Jr., as she vaulted up the point standings to seventh.

The top eight get first crack at the finals and the standings are now complete. Joining Friday’s four winners in the top eight are Pacific Edge, Fancy Flash and Kingsgold Hanover. Wendy Jo Rogue and Yuno My Brutha are tied for eighth.