By: Jerry Connors, Jr.
CHESTER PA – The two horses who last year swept their four Pennsylvania 9ire Stakes preliminaries and then were triumphant in their Championships, pacing colt Frantic Hanover and trotting filly Ginger Tree Lex, both added a second qualifying win to their preparation for their coming sophomore campaign at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Frantic Hanover, who went the fastest mile ever by a two-year-old on a five-eighths mile track, 1:49.1, in winning his PaSS Championship, won Tuesday in 1:54.1 on the engine, snapping off back numbers of :56.1 - :28 – and needing them to withstand a :27 last quarter from Caviart Anders by a neck. Tim Tetrick was in the sulky behind the Stay Hungry colt Frantic Hanover, trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Brad Grant, and Knox Services Inc.
Fellow Burke Brigade member Al Papi, second to “Frantic” in the Pennsylvania finale and a winner in his first 2026 qualifier, cut the pace but was beaten by three quarters of a length in another event, which was won in the fastest time of the day, 1:53.1, by pocketsitting Gentleman’s Club. The Downbytheseaside - See You At Peelers colt, winner of the Governor’s Cup in November, was ready for his first trip behind the gate this season, motoring home in :54.3 - :27 for driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Aaron Lambert.
The Bar Hopping filly Ginger Tree Lex continued her winning Pennsylvania ways with a victory in 1:57.2, coming her own back half in :55.4 via the uncovered route. Driven by Andrew McCarthy for trainer Steve Cook and the ownership of Sam Beegle, Ginger Tree Ventures LLC, Knollview Stable 2, and Bob Reber Jr., Ginger Tree Lex is reportedly looking at the new $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks, to be held Saturday, May 16 at the Kentucky oval.
Two trotters went in 1:56.4 for the day’s speed honors on that gait: the Greenshoe three-year-old gelding Highland Destiny, a pocket rocket while closing in :57.1 - :28.2 for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Nancy Takter, and the four-year-old Walner mare Walspea, making every pole a winning one and showing a :55.3 - :27.2 kick on the end for driver-trainer Trond Smedshammer.
The 6three-year-old pacing fillies were topped speedwise by the Perfect Sting miss Interstellar, who was very good on the engine to win in 1:55.1 - :56.2 - :27.4 for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Tony Alagna.
Scott Zeron had four victories during the thirteen race morning session, one more than Andrew McCarthy; trainer with doubles were Tony Alagna, Chris Ryder, and Nancy Takter.
The Philly qualifiers can be seen at www.phha.org.
CHESTER PA – The two horses who last year swept their four Pennsylvania 9ire Stakes preliminaries and then were triumphant in their Championships, pacing colt Frantic Hanover and trotting filly Ginger Tree Lex, both added a second qualifying win to their preparation for their coming sophomore campaign at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Frantic Hanover, who went the fastest mile ever by a two-year-old on a five-eighths mile track, 1:49.1, in winning his PaSS Championship, won Tuesday in 1:54.1 on the engine, snapping off back numbers of :56.1 - :28 – and needing them to withstand a :27 last quarter from Caviart Anders by a neck. Tim Tetrick was in the sulky behind the Stay Hungry colt Frantic Hanover, trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Brad Grant, and Knox Services Inc.
Fellow Burke Brigade member Al Papi, second to “Frantic” in the Pennsylvania finale and a winner in his first 2026 qualifier, cut the pace but was beaten by three quarters of a length in another event, which was won in the fastest time of the day, 1:53.1, by pocketsitting Gentleman’s Club. The Downbytheseaside - See You At Peelers colt, winner of the Governor’s Cup in November, was ready for his first trip behind the gate this season, motoring home in :54.3 - :27 for driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Aaron Lambert.
The Bar Hopping filly Ginger Tree Lex continued her winning Pennsylvania ways with a victory in 1:57.2, coming her own back half in :55.4 via the uncovered route. Driven by Andrew McCarthy for trainer Steve Cook and the ownership of Sam Beegle, Ginger Tree Ventures LLC, Knollview Stable 2, and Bob Reber Jr., Ginger Tree Lex is reportedly looking at the new $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks, to be held Saturday, May 16 at the Kentucky oval.
Two trotters went in 1:56.4 for the day’s speed honors on that gait: the Greenshoe three-year-old gelding Highland Destiny, a pocket rocket while closing in :57.1 - :28.2 for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Nancy Takter, and the four-year-old Walner mare Walspea, making every pole a winning one and showing a :55.3 - :27.2 kick on the end for driver-trainer Trond Smedshammer.
The 6three-year-old pacing fillies were topped speedwise by the Perfect Sting miss Interstellar, who was very good on the engine to win in 1:55.1 - :56.2 - :27.4 for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Tony Alagna.
Scott Zeron had four victories during the thirteen race morning session, one more than Andrew McCarthy; trainer with doubles were Tony Alagna, Chris Ryder, and Nancy Takter.
The Philly qualifiers can be seen at www.phha.org.
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