I Did It Myway unbeaten through five

WILKES-BARRE PA – I Did It Myway ran his career record to five-for-five – at five different racetracks – and notched his third straight Pennsylvania Sire Stakes victory as the two-year-old pacing colts came to The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono during a Sunday twilight card for their third preliminary round of harness racing action.

A Captaintreacherous – Flyme To The Moon colt, I Did It Myway had won previously at The Meadowlands, The Meadows, Harrah’s Philly, and The Red Mile, but this test proved his toughest as he won by a nose in 1:52.1. Todd McCarthy got the winner to the lead, around Wearinmysixshooter, past a :27.1 opening split, then put up fractions of :56, and 1:24.1.

On the far turn he looked like he had gone clear, but he bore a bit wide (a phenomenon often manifested by first-time starters at Pocono, especially two-year-olds, possibly because that’s where the paddock is located), but I Did It Myway regathered himself and held off the tough two-holer, with railshooting Treacherous Tom only a head away from taking it all.

I DID IT MYWAY REPLAY

I Did It Myway now has earnings of $128,658 for trainer Tony Alagna and the ownership of Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, Don Latare, and Alagna And Fodera Racing.

While I Did It Myway has shown himself capable to handle any oval so far, the royally-bred Sweet Lou – Economy Terror colt Market Based has been victorious at only one track – Pocono (he suffered interference at The Meadows and then went offstride at Philly in his other two Sire Stakes starts).

But all systems were “go” on this occasion, as Dexter Dunn let early traffic settle in a :27.4 first quarter, got to the half without incident in :56.4, then saw his charge throw a :28 third panel and then a :27 kicker to win by 2¼ lengths over JM’s Final Treasure in a lifetime best of 1:51.4. Nancy Takter is in charge of the fast baby for Chuck Pompey, Ed Gold, and H&M Taylor Stable.

MARKET BASED REPLAY

There were also three divisions of Stallion Series action, with the Captaintreacherous – Odds On Lassomyhrt colt Captain Cowboy remaining undefeated in three starts, all in StS competition, after blitzing home from third in :54.4 to post a 1:53.4 triumph, 1¼ lengths ahead of 76-1 shot Twist Knot, for driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Åke Svanstedt, and the partnership of Åke Svanstedt Inc. and Little E Inc.

CAPTAIN COWBOY REPLAY

Another son of Captaintreacherous, Hammering Hank (dam History Repeats), is undefeated in three career outings, two in Stallion Series races, after taking a new mark of 1:52.2, also coming his own last half in :54.4, to run down a tough pacesetter in Layton Hanover by a neck. The gelding was driven by Dexter Dunn for trainer Brett Pelling and the partnership of 3 Brothers Stables, Pelling Racing LLC , and Rojan Stables.

HAMMERING HANK REPLAY

In the other Stallion Series split, the Always B Miki – One For The Beach gelding My Miki Beach came down from Canada and promptly broke his maiden in 1:53.3 by a length over P J Lou. Yannick Gingras was the driver for trainer Amanda Fine, who shares ownership in the winner with Highland Thoroughbred Farm.

MY MIKI BEACH REPLAY

Amateur driver Maria De Bruijn scored her first North American sulky triumph in last week’s American Harness Drivers Club event, and she liked it so much that she came back and won again with the same horse, Silvermass Volo, on Sunday in 1:58 for trainer Michael Heijnen and lessee Mr. Racing Inc.

The Sunday amateur trot had many vying for the early lead, but after Muay Hanover and Robert Krivelin struck the top many of the early challengers backed away and looked for holes to drop into. Bob Hechkoff was the only one not intimidated and continued his way to the front with Southwind Frost. After passing the quarter in 28:3, the veteran reinsman hit the brakes trying to steal the race with a 31:1 second quarter.

Sensing the slow pace, Tony Verruso slid out Slated To Win and quickly challenged Southwind Frost for the lead up the backside. The two raced neck and neck around the last turn but the 28:2 third quarter set up the race perfectly for Silvermass Volo with Maria de Bruijn. She gave her gelding a masterful steer and tipped three wide off the last turn and charged by the front runners to win by a half length. Southwind Frost held on for second with Muay Hanover rallying up the passing lane to secure the Show money. Cimeronken and David Glasser followed the winner to be a hard charging fourth. The top five finishers were separated by a mere two lengths.

Silvermass Volo was sent off the favorite and did not disappoint his backers notching his second win of the season. Next Sunday 8/22 is the last leg of the AHDC Summer Series amateur trot races before the big Final on Sunday 8/29.

Sire Stakes / Stallion Series action continues at Pocono on Monday’s 12:30 card, with two-year-old trotting fillies; the tenth race Sire Stakes division features four winners from the action of the first two rounds – Baptism, Vogue, Dreamonhigh, and Mimi Ocean Hanover. Program pages are or will be available at www.phha.org/downsmsppps.html. Another big event at Pocono tomorrow will be the draw for this coming Saturday afternoon’s $2M+ Sun Stakes Saturday super card, expected to bring together top three-year-olds and Invitational horses.

For full race results, click here.

From PHHA / Pocono