There were a pair of $18,500 contests for fast-class stock on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 12) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with odds-on favourites winning both – Da Delightful on the pace, and Storm Is Raging on the trot.
Da Delightful and driver Braxten Boyd used engine tactics in posting a 1:52.2 victory. The son of Bettors Delight was three wide early then two wide to the lead nearing the :27.1; with no early challengers, Da Delightful and Boyd rested to the half of :56.4. The Wall made a big uncovered move down the backstretch, with Crunch Hanover in tow, but Da Delightful was still in control at the 1:24.2 three-quarters and then widened his margin through the last eighth to the finish winning by two lengths over Crunch Hanover, who worked past The Wall late.
The win was the eighth of the season for Da Delightful, raising his earnings to $123,205 in 2022 and $352,580 lifetime. Mark Silva is the consistent pacer’s owner and trainer.
Storm Is Raging had a more difficult route in progress to visiting Victory Lane, but he and driver Simon Allard got the job done in 1:54. The victorious Explosive Matter gelding got away third as Dees Red Delicious was out to the quarter in :27.3 for command, then yielded to Mystical Wynn before the :56.4 half. Storm Is Raging went into grind mode midbackstretch and slowly worked to the lead past the 1:25 three-quarters, then stayed strong late to win by a pair of lengths over Marion Gondolier, who just outfinished Mystical Wynn for the deuce.
Storm Is Raging now has nine wins this season, with his scorecard showing $112,020 for the year. Owned by Jack Piatt III, Mark Sosovicka, and Carl Cocciolone, Storm Is Raging is trained by Ron Burke, who has an insurmountable lead in the Pocono training stands.
Enjoying similar status on the driving side is Matt Kakaley, who won three times on the Saturday Pocono card.
The Downs has only three cards left in its 2022 season. There will be racing this Monday (Nov. 14) and Tuesday (Nov. 15), and then the final card of the year will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19. All of these programs will begin at 1:30 p.m. (EST).
(With files from PHHA / Pocono)