Napolitano Jr. Collects Nine Wins At Pocono
George Napolitano Jr., after being shut out Friday for the first time this season at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, collected nine wins Saturday through the first 14 races
of the 15-race card.
One of his eight wins came in the $28,000 featured Open Handicap Pace when he piloted Mr Hallowell to a victory in 1:51.4 for trainer Chris Carrubba.
Leaving from the eight hole, Napolitano Jr. sat fourth for the opening split with Western Bay (Matt Kakaley) leading the nine-horse field with the timer reading :27.2. But quickly Napolitano Jr. slashed his way to the top near the three-eighths pole and became the new leader with the half clicked off in :56.4.
It was that :29.2 second panel that put the field to sleep and Mr Hallowell would get to the three-quarters in 1:24.2, and win by a length and a half over Western Bay with Mucho Sleazy (Andrew McCarthy) more than two lengths behind.
This also marked the third consecutive time in Open Handicap company that Western Bay would finish second at the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack.
It was the fifth win in 13 starts this season for Mr Hallowell, who now has earned more than $98,000 in 2010.
The nine wins gave Napolitano Jr. a total of 40 on the season to runner-up Jim Morrill Jr. with 18.
Walter Case Jr. won 10 races in 2000 on a single night’s card at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and Napolitano Jr. equaled that mark last season at Chester Downs.
(Pocono Downs)