from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Two-year-old trotting fillies were featured in seven $20,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania Stallion Series’ second preliminary Monday night (July 17) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, and although the “off” track was below peak speed throughout the evening (“+1” in “good” conditions later changing to “sloppy”), all the winners took lifetime marks.

The Donato Hanover-Octavia Bi filly Zoe Bi was the only filly to register a second straight score in the Stallion Series, and she succeeded swiftly, with her 1:57.4 clocking the fastest of the night for trainer Christopher Beaver, also co-owner with Marion Beachy and Synerco Ventures. Pocono’s leading driver, George Napolitano Jr., moved the miss to the top past the quarter, then brought her home in :58.1 to be almost five lengths clear of her opposition at the finish.

Curtis Salonick photo

Bombshell Belle was a 1:58.1 winner for driver Andy Miller.

Driver Andy Miller picked up two winning catch-drives in the Stallion Series action. One came with the second-fastest winner, the Explosive Matter-Allusive distaff Bombshell Belle, who won by 6-1/2 lengths in 1:58.1. On the lead at the stretch call in her first Stallion Series start at The Meadows only to make a break, the Robert Baggitt Jr.-trained filly was overlooked here and paid $31.40 to win as she tallied for Christine Baggitt and noted amateur horseman Mitchell Walker.

Miller’s other win came with the Cantab Hall-Caitir filly Keystone Carly in 1:59.4, after a phrase often heard among 2-year-old trotter races: “a war of attrition.” Three in the field of seven broke early; a fourth broke during the second quarter; and then La La Winnie, who had put up amazing fractions of :27.1 and :57.4, made a break at the half — with Keystone Carly officially 17 lengths back at the half.

But she and favored Reiza were the only two who had remained flat, and the latter had been close-up in the pocket when the leader miscued, inheriting a lead that was 7-1/2 lengths at the 1:28.2 three-quarters. But the early fractions took their toll and Keystone Carly, with the patient Miller, was the fresh filly late, charging by to score by 1-1/2 lengths for trainer Todd Schadel, who shares ownership with his wife Christine and Rick and Regina Beinhauer.

Cantab Hall picked up another siring credit when trainer Jimmy Takter also took sulky duty behind Basquait, a daughter of Thatsnotmyname who stepped home in :29.1 to complete a 2:00 tally. Basquait was picture-perfect in winning for Order By Stable.

Also with two winning offspring was sire Muscle Massive, the faster of which was Women’s Lib (out of New Day), who went wire-to-wire in 1:58.4, last half :58.1, for trainer Donna Marshall. Sharing ownership of the winning distaff with Arden Homestead Stable is her driver, Jim Marshall IV, son of the longtime noted horseman Jim III and only in his second year of driving in the professional ranks.

Enchanting (out of Uf Annka Sister) was the other successful daughter of Muscle Massive, holding off the Team Orange Crush filly Cloud Dancer by a neck in 2:00.4. Enchanting, who led at every call, is owned and trained by D.R. Ackerman.

Also successful on the wet night was the Andover Hall-Drinks Like A Fish filly Fish Is Fish, who used a pocket journey as a springboard to a nose victory over first leg winner Explosive G, who had taken the lead in the stretch, in 1:59.2. Driver Dan Rawlings shipped northeastward with trainer Dirk Simpson, and their filly made the long ride worthwhile for them and owner Ed Teefey.

Five divisions of Sire Stakes 2-year-old trotting fillies are carded for Tuesday, the last night of the week in Pocono’s Saturday through Tuesday basic schedule.