North American News - Sun Stakes Saturday

North American harness racing turns its attention to Pocono Downs this weekend, where $2.3 million in prizemoney will be offered on a blockbuster 14 race Sun Stakes Saturday card.

Four races worth at least $250,000 headline Saturday afternoon’s programme, with the $300,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial, $300,000 Earl Beal Memorial, $250,000 James Lynch Memorial and $250,000 Delmonica Hanover bringing together some of the leading three-year-olds in North America.

Perhaps the most intriguing is the $300,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace, where the battle for supremacy among the three-year-old pacing colts remains wide open.

North America Cup winner Odds On Mr Mamba meets Adios winner Al Papi, while recent Milstein winner Melillo adds further depth.

Last season’s Horse of the Year Beau Jangles is also searching for a return to his brilliant best after starting his career with 15 consecutive victories, while Sweet Lovin Lou and Gentleman’s Club arrive after finishing first and second in the Cane Pace.

Pennsylvania Sire Stakes standout Another C Note and Meadowlands Pace winner Brandon Blvd complete an outstanding eight-horse field.

---

The $250,000 James Lynch Memorial could provide some clarity among the three-year-old pacing fillies.

With champion Loua Dipa absent, rapidly improving Sangria Summer gets another opportunity to establish herself near the top of the division.

The Luc Blais-trained filly has won three of her past four starts, highlighted by her brilliant 1:48.1 Shady Daisy victory at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day.

She again meets Darlin’s Angel and Be Perfect BG, who were separated by less than a length when filling the minor placings behind her in the Shady Daisy.

---

The $300,000 Earl Beal Memorial Trot is notable for the absence of Hambletonian winner Apex and runner-up Big Ranger, opening the door for several of their Hambletonian rivals.

Longshot Hambletonian third-placegetter Minoan backed up that performance by winning a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event at The Meadows last weekend and now gets another chance at a major title.

Yonkers Trot winner Inexpressable comes into the Beal after winning the Muscle Hill at The Meadowlands, while Hambletonian finalists AI, Magic Punk and Spencer Hanover will also attempt to enhance their claims in what remains an open sophomore trotting division.

---

The fourth of the major races is the $250,000 Delmonica Hanover Trot for three-year-old fillies.

Reigning divisional champion Setyoursightshigh looks to continue her return to top form after winning her Hambletonian Oaks elimination before finishing third in the final.

She faces the highly talented Victorianas Secret, who has won four of her past five starts. Her only defeat came after making an early break in her Oaks elimination before producing a remarkable recovery, including a :25.3 final quarter.

Local interest centres on Little Road, trained by 80-year-old Roger Hammer, who heads into the race with four victories and two narrow Pennsylvania Sire Stakes defeats from her past six starts.

While those four races provide the centrepiece, the supporting programme is worthy of a major meeting in its own right, with another $1 million-plus spread across consolation races and $100,000 invitationals.

Sun Stakes Saturday gets underway at Pocono at 2.30pm EDT on Saturday, August 22.

by Bevan Greig for Harnesslink