The veteran Art Major mare Crazy Cute won for the third time in her last four starts in the top pacing mares class at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. She covered a sloppy track in 1:51.2 in Monday's $21,500 feature for her 11th win of the year – one off the North American high for her group – and boosting her seasonal bankroll to $102,474.
And the crowd still let her go off at 8-1.
Major Occasion A, coming in off a 1:50.4 win in New Jersey, was accorded favouritism, and she worked to the lead past the :27 quarter, still retaining control at the :55.2 half. But driver Anthony Napolitano had Crazy Cute winging early in the backstretch and she went right by the favourite, hitting the three-quarters in 1:23.1 and continuing to stride out in defeating closer Shes Pukka N by 2-1/4 lengths. Pocono’s leading trainer Gilbert Garcia-Herrera also owns the frequent winner with Barbara Arnstine.
It was feast or famine for favourite players Monday at The Downs – half of the 14 races were taken by the chalk, but five other winners, including Crazy Cute, paid 8-1 or better. Nobody paid more than the Sportswriter gelding Sportsmanship, who was seventh at headstretch for driver Kyle DiBenedetto yet passed the opposition to surprise and pay $141.20. The mutuel was the highest price at Pocono since June 5, when a $169.40 winner named – Sportsmanship came home first! The horse and owner/trainer Laurie Patistas joined driver Marcus Miller as the only double $100+ producers at the 2021 meet.
The sulky riches were well spread-out on the day, with six drivers winning two races: Tyler Buter, Matt Kakaley, Marcus Miller, Anthony Napolitano, George Napolitano Jr., and Jim Pantaleano. They were joined by trainer Kelly Paver, who shipped a pair of sharp trotters from The Meadows and won with both of them.
Tuesday’s card at Pocono is highlighted by a trio of $17,000 contests for those looking to win their way to the higher echelons: one for pacing males, one for pacing males, and one for trotters. Program pages for the 12:30 Tuesday card are available on the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Pocono)