The Tactical Landing filly Marg In Charge had to work up first-over in the $20,548 trotting feature at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon, June 17, but she was then able to hold off the late move of second-over G Load by a neck in 1:54.3.

The victorious sophomore miss missed her lifetime best, set a year ago at The Meadowlands, by only a tick as she got home first for driver Tyler Buter, trainer Nifty Norman and the partnership of Pinske Stables, Melvin Hartman and Curly Tall Curly Small.

On a day that agreed with the almanac saying that summer begins this week, speedy miles were not confined to just feature trotters: 1:55 miles were recorded in the ground-level (Beer Cheese, 1:54.4), second-level (TNT Blue Chip, equalling his best of 1:52.4) and third-level (Ice Breakers K, a mark of 1:54.3) conditioned trotting events, and in the maiden class by Six Pack Tony in 1:55.

On the pace, Rideau Carleton invader On Time Delivery shook off a 36-day layoff and won his sixth straight race, taking a new mark of 1:50.2 in the process.

Matt Kakaley drove three winners on the program to establish a firmer foothold atop the Pocono standings.

Tuesday’s 1 p.m. card is headlined by a quartet of $20,548 events split equally between the gaits; there will also be a carryover into the Pick-5 bet starting in race five. This coming Saturday, My Girl EJ and other top three-year-old pacing fillies come to the mountain oval for Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Stallion Series action. 

(PHHA/Pocono)