Literl Lad Hanover, who literally lost an “a” because of name length rules, certainly brought his A-game to Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Sunday, May 11, closing strongly to win the $21,528 featured pace in 1:51.4.

Literl Lad Hanover, the winner of $362,023 (whose biggest cheque came on May 1 of 2021 when he won a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes) followed up second-over behind Better Option (Jim Pantaleano) as the early part of the race produced fractions of :26.4, :55.4 and 1:23.3. George Napolitano Jr. then swung the altered son of Somebeachsomewhere-Latte Lady wide nearing the stretch and the winner got past his uncovered rival easily for trainer Dean Eckley, co-owner with William Hartt. Better Option was second and Sun Of A Show (William Mullin) rounded out the top three. 

It cooled a bit during the evening card, but fast times were the rule rather than the exception on Sunday, and two overnight winners, both driven by Matt Kakaley, deserve a mention. The seven-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven-Artistic Vision gelding Rockin Jukebox took a new mark of 1:49.4 in a lower-level conditioned pace for trainer Joe Bongiorno and owner Robert Weinstein; and a race earlier in a “non-winners of two races” trot, the Walner-Armbro Deja Vu three-year-old colt Jamais Vu was ready in his seasonal debut to win in 1:53.4 for trainer Lucas Wallin and the far-flung ownership of Wallin Racing Stable Inc., Harbor Racing Stable, Karin Walter-Mommert and Daniel Plouffe.

Kakaley, the three-time defending champion in driving wins at Pocono, had four wins on the night to lead the colony.

Tony Ciuffetelli took his own trainee Muscle Dan pillar to post in 1:57.4 to win an American Harness Drivers Club trot for owners Joseph and Albert Ciuffetelli.

A failure of part of the track lighting system forced the last race to be declared "no contest" by the judges.

Dan Patch Award winner Miki And Minnie makes her 2025 debut on Monday, May 12 in one of four $30,000 USD divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for sophomore pacing fillies. Miki And Minnie will try to surmount the outside post eight in the 12th race on the 14-race card, which begins at 1 p.m.

(With files from PHHA/Pocono & AHDC)