The winners of the three $15,000 featured races at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on the Tuesday (Nov. 12) all continued recent winning form with victories as the favorites in their respective contests.
The one with the highest winning rate lately is the Sir Lincoln pacing mare Lincolns Girl N, who remained undefeated in three U.S. starts while taking a mark of 1:54.2 despite racing over a “good +2” track with the temperatures at 21 degrees (Fahrenheit) and blowing snow in the infield. To say that driver George Napolitano Jr. was “sitting chilly” in the sulky late would be correct in two senses, as the Kiwi won by herself, taking her fourth-straight race counting her Down Under departure event. Trainer Josh Green co-owns the promising distaff with Richard Lombardo and David Kryway.
Napolitano came back to win the trotting section of the tri-features with the Muscle Hill sophomore colt Night Hall, who used the Pocono Pike to edge by Grapple Hanover in 1:56.1, giving him victories in three of his last four and five of his last six. Åke Svanstedt conditions the developing three-year-old for owner Peter Wilhelmsen.
In the feature division for male pacers, A Stud Named Sam continued the recent turnaround in his fortunes by catching Bring The Thunder in a clocking of 1:53.1 for driver Tyler Buter. Unraced at two and opening his career with 13-straight defeats, the gelded son of A Stud Named Sue has now won five of his last six starts for trainer Dirk Simpson and the Dirk Simpson Stable Inc.
The long-memoried fans who recalled that Western Alumni had won on Opening Night here in 37 degrees while paying $61.00 got a bonanza on Tuesday’s second-to-last card of the year. The pacer again paid boxcars in cold weather with a $63.80 upset for driver Tom Jackson and owner-trainer Eddie Williams. Western Alumni joined A Bettor Beach as the only two horses to pay $50+ to win twice at the meet.
The 2019 seasonal finale on Saturday will find George Napolitano Jr. (a five-time winner Tuesday) recognized for being Pocono’s top driver in terms of wins and UDR (his sixth-straight year of doing that particular double), Rich And Miserable acclaimed as the local Trotter of the Year and patrons getting a Fan Appreciation Night gift of a hooded sweatshirt as supplies and sizes last. First race for Saturday is set for 7 p.m.
(PHHA/Pocono)