Favorites rule in $1.2 million PASS Championship Finals

The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono featured one of its richest harness racing days of the year, hosting the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (PASS) Championship Finals for three-year-old trotters and pacers. Each of the four divisions featured a purse of $253,000.

$253,000 PASS 3YO Colt Pace Final

The fastest of the four Championship Final took place in the 12th race for the three-year-old pacing colts as Lou’s Pearlman ($3.20) was just too tough.

Hellabalou (Tim Tetrick) left hard from post 8 to take the early lead as did Chase H Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr) to the first quarter in :26.2. Then it was Lou’s Pearlman and driver Yannick Gingras who came charging up to take command and led the field to the half mile in :54.3.

11-1 shot Billy Clyde (Matt Kakaley) came a game first-over and was nearly able to look Lou’s Pearlman in the eye after the three-quarters in 1:22.1. But that was enough for Lou’s Pearlman to dig in even more and go on to win by two and one-half lengths in 1:49.4. Billy Clyde was second with a late closing Gamblin Mo (Tyler Buter) third.

The second straight win and fourth of the season for Lou’s Pearlman (Sweet Lou), who is trained by Ron Burke. She was bred and is owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Novak along with co-owner Howard Taylor.

$253,000 PASS 3YO Filly Pace Final

The 11^th race PASS Final for the pacing fillies saw race favorite Grace Hill ($2.80) take command off the starting gate and she then gave way to Blue Diamond Eyes (Yannick Gingras) at the quarter mile in :26.2.

Driver Todd McCarthy wasted no time in quarter moving and take command of the race again. They went to the half mile in :54.1 before Mikala (George Brennan) came first-over with Marsala Hanover (Scott Zeron) second-over in the backstretch but they could not collar Grace Hill by the three-quarters in 1:22.

Then in the stretch it was death and taxes for Grace Hill as she was able to hold off Blue Diamond Eyes and a late closing Milieu Hanover (Dexter Dunn) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.2.

It was the fourth straight score for Grace Hill. The daughter of Always B Miki, trained by Nifty Norman for owner Tom Hill of Lancashire, UK, now sports five wins on the season.

GRACE HILL REPLAY

$253,000 PASS 3YO Colt Trot Final

A stakes record was set by Jujubee ($3.80) and driver Andy McCarthy in capturing the 10^th race Championship final.

In Range (Tim Tetrick) left from the gate with Johan Palema (Yannick Gingras), who was able to grab a two-hole seat by the first quarter in a speedy :26.2.

Then before the half mile in :55.1, McCarthy sent Jujubee to the front and they led the field to the backstretch when Take All Comes (Brian Sears) came charging up first-over with Whiskey Blu (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) second-over.

Past the three-quarters in 1:23.1, Jujubee started to pull away from the field and went on to win in a romp by six lengths in 1:51.4. Johan Palema was second with Delayed Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) third.

The prior stakes record was 1:52.3 set by Amigo Volo in 2020. For Jujubee, a colt by Creatine, it was his third straight win and 11^th victory in just 14 starts in 2021. He also was coming off a month layoff for this race.

JUJUBEE REPLAY

$253,000 PASS 3YO Filly Trot Final

Hambletonian Oaks winner, Bella Bellini ($4.40), showed true grit in capturing the filly trot final with a gutsy finish against You Ato Dream.

Flawless Country (Ake Svanstedt) left early and then gave way at the opening quarter mile in :27.1 to Lady Chaos (David Miller). Then You Ato Dream (Jeff Gregory) came first-over and clearing to the front in :56.4.

Bella Bellini (Dexter Dunn) had left a little, dropped into fourth place, then came second-over following the cover of You Ato Dream. When You Ato Dream cleared to the lead, Miller came after them with Bella Bellini.

To the three-quarters in 1:23.4, Bella Bellini could not clear by You Ato Dream. Those two then locked horns all the way down the stretch with Bella Bellini pulling away at the wire to win by a half-length in 1:53. Lady Chaos was third.

It was the eighth win of the year for Bella Bellini. The daughter of Bar Hopping is trained by Nifty Norman and owned by David McDuffee of Delray Beach, FL.

BELLA BELLINI REPLAY

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink