Trainer Ake Svanstedt had trainees competing in 11 John Simpson Sr. Memorial stakes races this past week at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Those Svanstedt trainees won every one of those races, with two more coming home victorious on Saturday (Oct. 21) afternoon to complete an incredible sweep.
Svanstedt needed Khaosan Road and Cecil Hanover (pictured above) to deliver in their respective $30,900 Simpson divisions for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings to stay perfect on the week. They both did so handily as favourites with George Napolitano Jr. in the bike, with Khaosan Road winning in 1:54:4 and Cecil Hanover getting it done in 1:54.3. Calderone (Matt Kakaley), trained by ennifer Bongiorno, won the other split for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings (aka “The Ayres” group) in 1:55.
There were also three $32,700 Simpson races held on Saturday at Pocono for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings (“The Albatross” Group). The winners were Fulton (Matt Kakaley) in 1:51.2 for Linda Toscano; Ken Hanover (Tyler Buter) in 1:50.2 for Polie Mallar; and Sir Isaac Newton (Matt Kakaley) in 1:50.3 for Jim King Jr.
Live racing at Pocono resumes on Monday afternoon, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. eastern. There are 12 races on the Pocono Monday program.
Baker Bags AHDC Dash at Pocono
Bruce Baker flew off cover to score a closing-stride victory in the $11,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot.
Starting from post eight, Baker settled towards the rear of the field with Allindotime as Buzz (Tony Ciuffetelli) blitzed for the lead after making a break through the first turn. Buzz recovered and pressed into leader Brownie (Mike Polansky) after a :28.4 first quarter and through a :59.3 half. At this point, Baker tipped Allindotime off the pegs and found himself second over behind 8-5 favourite Newell Place (John Calabrese) moving for the backstretch.
Buzz cleared command up the backside and took the field by three-quarters in 1:29.3 before tiring off the final turn. Newell Place slid to the lead into the stretch and fought to no avail to keep Allindotime at bay in the final yards. Baker bolted off cover and surged to a nose victory in 2:00.4 with Sheen A Solider (Matt Zuccarello) back in third and Lindys Booze Cruz (Anthony Verruso) closing for fourth.
Bill MacKenzie conditions Allindotime, an eight-year-old gelding by Andover Hall, for owner Alma Iafelice. He paid $26.60 to win.
The AHDC Fall Trotting Series continues next Saturday, Oct. 28 at Pocono Downs with the seventh preliminary. The AHDC will also be in competition on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 22 at Harrah’s Philadelphia for a pair of $9,900 pacing events on the 14-race card.
(Pocono / AHDC)