Lunar, extremely hard-used to gain the lead in front of the stands the first time, dug in gamely making his second pass under the wire and won the $21,622 claiming handicap pace in 1:49.1 on Sunday (July 6) night at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Lunar, the favourite, was looped out of the gate by recent frequent winner Belmont Major N, but driver Jack Pelling pressed on with him past a :26.3 quarter and made the lead at the three-eighths. Lunar went on to sapping middle splits of :53.3 and 1:21.2, and Hammering Hank tried to take advantage of the hot fractions from second-over, but the brave Lunar maintained his advantage, which was a neck at the wire.

The Sweet Lou gelding won the feature for trainer Hunter Oakes and owner Carmen Iannacone, but they did see Lunar changing barns via the claiming box for $51,351.

There were two claiming paces, both carrying a purse of $20,270, carded for horses priced just below the feature horses. The first was taken by 19-1 prospect Cruzin America in what was not only a blanket finish, but it was a very small blanket, too – three-quarters of a length separated the entirety of the six-horse field at the finish. Cruzin America, an American Ideal gelding, got a nice trip second-over and took the victory by a neck in 1:51.3 for driver Tyler Buter, trainer Brandon Presto, and Meredith Farms LLC.

In the other division, Bullville Stephano, a son of Artiscape, was a 1:50.4 winner. Anthony Napolitano made the lead before the quarter, backed off at the half, then scurried home in :53.4, needing all of that to withstand pocketsitter Downrightdelicious by three parts of a length. Owner Todd’s Auto and trainer Lou Pena recorded their second straight win with the pacer, but they won’t be notching a third, as the winner was claimed for $33,784. (On the other hand, Todd’s and Pena were the successful claimants on feature winner Lunar.)

Jack Pelling and Anthony Napolitano both steered three winners on the card. Napolitano, who tripled for the second straight day, guided two winners for trainer Noel Daley; Pelling combined with trainer Hunter Oakes for the fastest mile of the program on both gaits, with feature winner Lunar and with first-time U.S. winner Demone Deiventi IT, who indeed was a demon in a 1:52.2 mile.

Anthony Verruso fired down the road while Paul Minore powered off cover to score an upset in their respective $13,514 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trots.

Verruso won going pillar to post in the first AHDC Trot with 2-1 second choice Big Nudge in a 1:57.3 mile. After an early skirmish with Lionhead (driven by Yogi Sheridan) through a :29.3 first quarter, Verruso emerged on the lead with Big Nudge and cruised to a 1:00 half and 1:28 three-quarters while rebuffing a first-over push from Archibald (Mike Polansky) coming to the final turn. Big Nudge then scooted away to post a 2-1/4-length win over Lionhead, with 6-5 favourite Hunters Gal (Paul Minore) sitting a ground-saving trip for third and BBC Sportsboy (Bob Hechkoff) closing from second over for fourth.

Veronica Spicer trains Big Nudge, an eight-year-old gelding by Donato Hanover, and co-owns the gelding with Michael Sherman Jr. He paid $6.60 to win.

After failing with the favorite in the first AHDC Trot, Paul Minore came back with 16-1 shot Mamy Wata to find the winner’s circle with a 1:55.4 effort.

Minore landed in fifth with Mamy Wata through a :28 first quarter as Eddie L (Bob Hechkoff) pushed to take control from Big Limo (Anthony Verruso). Town Victor (Yogi Sheridan) then tipped to march uncovered outside and Minore snagged the second-over seat coming to a :57.1 half. He continued perched on Sheridan’s helmet through three-quarters in 1:25.4 and thrusted forward coming for home to score a half-length win over pocket-pouncing Big Limo. Papa Doc (Tony Beltrami), the 4-5 favourite, rallied from third over for third while Certify (Mike Polansky) saved ground for fourth.

Ron Coyne Jr. trains Mamy Wata, a three-year-old filly by Six Pack, for owner Paul Minore. He paid $35.20 to win.

Pennsylvania All-Stars races for two-year-olds highlight the final two cards of the week, both beginning at 1 p.m., with pacing colts set for Monday (July 7) and trotting fillies headlining the Tuesday (July 8) action.

(PHHA / Pocono)