WILKES-BARRE PA – Trainer/driver Åke Svanstedt had a ”double double” during the second prelim of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for three-year-old trotting colts on Monday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, sending out the 1-2 finishers in two of the three divisions while guiding both winners.
One of the divisions matched the three first-round Sires winners, but Svanstedt accounted for that with the 17-1 Southwind Frank colt Delayed Hanover in that one's first start of the year, winning in 1:53 for a new mark. Svanstedt vacated the pocket with his charge turning for home, giving stablemate Johan Palema (Dexter Dunn), one of the first prelim winners, a shot in the Pocono Pike from third-in. The pair attacked pacesetter Type A in the stretch, with Johan Palema gaining a short lead before Åke coaxed more from Delayed Hanover to defeat his barnmate by a nose for Melby Gard Inc. and Åke Svanstedt Inc. Favored In Range made a break before the start and was always out of range.
The Creatine colt Jujubee stalked yet another Svanstedter, Capstone, from the pocket, then caught him in the stretch to post a length decision in 1:54.4. Jujubee trotted his own last quarter in :27.2 to win for driver Tony Hall, trainer Greg Wright Jr., and owner Jon Erdner while running his seasonal tally to 6-for-8.
Another stakes double was achieved by the team of driver Bob McClure, trainer Luc Blais, and owner Determination, with one of their winners the 2020 Breeders Crown champion On A Streak, as the Cantab Hall colt won for the first time this year in 1:56.2. Their other success story came from the Bar Hopping gelding Inaminute Hanover, who has now taken five of his last six starts, this one in a lifetime best 1:55.3.
The other StS winners have been triumphant in both their PA program starts this year. Cantab Hall got a siring double credit when the gelding The Irishman equaled his mark of 1:55.3 for driver Tim Tetrick, trainer George Ducharme, and the ownership of W Donovan, Thomas Dillon, Purnel & Libby Inc., and Joe Sbrocco; the other section saw the Father Patrick colt Sunny Crockett improved his seasonal tally to 4-3-1-0 with a 1:54.4 triumph for driver Andy Miller and trainer Julie Miller, along with the ownership of Willow Oak Ranch and Andy Miller Stable Inc.
The Downs will have twin $15,300 features on its 12:30 Tuesday card, one on the trot and one on the pace, with developing younger horses in the spotlight. The program pages for the card are available at https://www.phha.org/downsmsppps.html.