Tyler Buter drove three of the last four winners on the final 2025 card of racing at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Saturday, Nov. 22, raising his seasonal total at the mountain oval to exactly 300 while capturing his first local dash-winning crown.
The 40-year-old, seventh in North America in wins this year, brought home Nob Hill Flash ($10.40) in the 11th race, then won both halves of the late double to reach 300. Oakwood Heymiki Ir ($2.10) was expected to win at 1-9 and did, and then Buter overcame the outside post with Seven Reps ($10.80), who closed off cover to bring a fine season to a fine ending for his pilot. George Napolitano Jr. finished second in the drivers' standings, followed by Anthony Napolitano.
Seven Reps is trained by Ron Burke, and the ubiquitous trainer finished with a local seasonal win total of 113 as he won his fourth straight crown and fifth in the last six years. Hunter Oakes was second, followed by Travis Alexander. Pocono also keeps historical data on UDR leaders, and it’s no surprise that Jason Bartlett, having the year of his career, would take that title, hitting .401 with enough starts (one per card) to take his first local title.
The top races on closing day at Pocono focused on performers looking destined to find their way to the top national classes in a short time. The $24,648 conditioned feature was captured by the Bar Hopping-Bernis Hanover sophomore filly Bay Breeze Hanover ($6.20), who already has experience with state-level stakes horses, and may be headed to richer opportunities after battling gamely over a track rated good to hold off Pocono Pike-scooting favourite Kovu As (Anthony Napolitano) by a head in 1:57. Te Amo Lindy (George Napolitano Jr.) was third. A winner of three of her last four including a Liberty Bell division, Bay Breeze Hanover was handled by Colin Kelly for trainer Maria Alvarez and the partnership of Friendship Stables LLC and Rotiboy4eva Racing Stable. The filly is now six-for-31 lifetime.
Pacers a rung lower on the class ladder contested $22,535 in a conditioned race taken by the three-year-old Always B Miki-Twin B Dream Girl gelding Chief Bogo ($2.80), who has also won three of his last four. He came up the inside from a pocket journey to overhaul pacesetter Captain Luffy (Matt Kakaley) by three parts of a length in 1:52.3 for driver Anthony Napolitano, trainer Nick Devita, and owner Eric Prevost. Heaven Needs Me (Boyd) was third.
Pocono bettors had a host of good chances to make a little holiday money, as there were carryovers in three races, and since it was the last day, mandatory payouts on five exotic wagers (including one with a carryover). Well-regarded horses won early, but then the money got spread around by longer shots winning, including Raven Banner N ($62), the 56th time a winner paid $50 or more at Pocono this year.
(PHHA/Pocono)