Angel Plus proved to be manna from heaven for her scattered backers at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Tuesday night, paying the highest win price of 2016 at the mountain oval, $204.40, in taking the sixth race.
Driver Eric Carlson kept Angel Plus in the rear of the field most of the way as there were four lead changes before the half, then sent her three-wide early on the far turn. She gained rapidly on the curve, and continued gaining despite a stretch headwind to win going away by three lengths for her third win of the year (in the other two she was the race favourite, paying $5.20 and $3.40).
Attracting only $37 of win support in a total pool of $4700, Angel Plus and her $204.40 mutuel surpassed the previous high of the year, the $197.00 of Majo Just Do It exactly six months and one day earlier (April 17). Carlson has now had two $100 winners at Pocono in the last month, having guided Reggiano to a $103.00 upset over the red clay on September 24.
As for trainer Steve Cook, he evidently made a good move in bringing the mare 100 miles up the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Pocono from her usual base at Harrah’s Philadelphia, as the mare was strong late for the Bay Pond Racing Stable.
In the richest purse race of the night, a $16,000 pace for distaffs that opened the card, Encore Deo also showed a fondness for the Pocono oval in taking a new mark of 1:52.1 on the engine for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Ron Burke, and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jason Melillo, and Lawrence Karr.
Encore Deo was winless in 17 seasonal starts when she came to Pocono on September 27 and was victorious, and tonight she returned after having no luck at Philly last time and won by 2-3/4 lengths while in full control.
(PHHA/Pocono)