There were a trio of $12,000 featured events on the Sunday (Oct. 25) card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. The pacing males and the trotters generated mid-range upsets in their respective cuts, while the winning pacing female came through for her chalk-playing backers.

The Heston Blue Chip filly Talk Show Chica, trained and driven by Tom Jackson for Braden Racing LLC, made a regaining move to the lead in front of the stands, opened a sizable lead on the far turn, then held off a stubborn first-over Peggy J by three-quarter lengths to win in 1:53.2. Having now won two in a row and three out of her last five starts against this level of competition, Talk Show Chica will now have to step up her game, as her victories and money boost her out of this class.

In the pace for males, Gold Star Yoder rallied from the pocket and held off Notwithoutafight, but not without a fight, prevailing over the late charger by a head while lowering his lifetime mark by four-and-two-fifth seconds to 1:51. Anthony Napolitano drove the Mysticism gelding for trainer Eric Mollor and the ownership of Niss Allen Inc.

In the trotting contest, the Donato Hanover sophomore gelding Nezblanc wound up in the pocket as a result of two early breakers, then was able to squeeze between horses late with a heady drive from trainer Aaron Johnston to take a new mark of 1:57. First-over President was closest at the wire, a half length behind, to the winner, who is owned by Richard Hess.

Three-time driving winners on the card were Matt Kakaley, Marcus Miller, and Anthony Napolitano (the last-named now having succeeded 39 times over the last 11 Pocono cards). All of Kakaley’s victorious trio were trained by Clay Faurot Jr.–and the ages of each of the winning threesome are in double digits (Artache Hanover, 11; Mystery Island, 13; and Regal Hope, 10).

This was the last Sunday card of the 2020 season at Pocono. There are six cards remaining in the meet, with Tuesday and Saturday programs at 12:30 p.m. (EDT) for the next three weeks.

(PHHA/Pocono)