The front end proved the place to be in three $30,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania All-Stars event for three-year-old trotting fillies Tuesday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with Synonymous Hanover, Lookin Sharp, and Modern Mercury all parlaying leads at the half-mile pole into new career marks.
Synonymous Hanover made a sharp brush to the top on the second turn in her All-Stars division, “stole” a 1:00 middle half, then sprinted home in :28.1 to hold safe early leader Ginny Weasley, trying to come back in the Pocono Pike, by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:56. Brett Miller handled the daughter of Andover Hall in her victorious 2016 debut for trainer Chris Oakes and owners Susan Oakes and Scott Bice.
Andover Hall quickly earned a siring double credit in the next All-Stars heat, where the winner, Lookin Sharp, was probably the most impressive winner of the night, powering straight to command from the outer post nine and commanding her field by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:55.2. Lookin Sharp, in her second start of the campaign, certainly lived up to her name for driver David Miller, trainer John Butenschoen, and owners William Wiswell and M&L Of Delaware Inc.
The third division saw the Donato Hanover filly Modern Mercury regained pace control in front of the stands the first time, then making her advantage stand up for one complete lap more, tallying by two lengths in 1:56.1. Trainer Charlie Norris was in the sulky behind the winner of two straight for owners Carrie Norris and Anthony Klis III.
On Sunday night, inaugural Pennsylvania Classic Final winner Check Six returns to town, heading three divisions of the first preliminary leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts. His Ron Burke stablemates JK Will Power and Big Top Hanover, 2-3 in the Classic Final to complete the Burke “sweep,” all also among the entered, as are the three winners of Pennsylvania All-Stars divisional action this past Sunday – Another Daily Copy, Voltaire, and The Catamount Kid.
(PHHA/Pocono)