Hurrikane Willie G, showing his first-rate pedigree as of late, trotted to his third straight victory during the Sunday (Feb. 27) card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, taking his gait’s division of the three $15,000 divisions of the featured class on the program in 1:57.2.
A four-year-old altered son of Donato Hanover-Housethatruthbuilt (combined earnings of parents $4,163,708, average mark 1:51.2), Hurrikane Willie G quarter-moved past a :28.1 opener, posted middle splits of :58 and 1:27.2, then won by two lengths over 60-1 pocketsitter Final Class while looking to have more in the tank. Backed by Team Pantaleano — driver Jim and trainer Christen — and owned by Morrison Racing Stables, Hurrikane Willie G, now a winner of half his 12 starts, is making early steps on what may be a prolonged climb up the class ladder.
Odds-on favourite Getyourlicenseliam was involved in quick fractions of :28.3, :57.4 and 1:26.1 through the cool and breezy twilight in the featured pace for male pacers, but still had a big lead on the far turn. However, he could not maintain his advantage to the wire, and the Ponder gelding Champ Charbel posted his second-straight win – he won on New Year’s Eve at Philly – coming up the inside for a 1:56 victory by three-quarters of a length. Lincoln Boulevard photoed Bettors Authority for second, just ahead of the fading pacesetter, as Champ Charbel, dismissed at 19-1, won for driver Renaldo Morales III and owner/trainer Joe Karrat.
In the featured pace for distaffs, the Bettors Delight mare Cheekie Babe slid up the rail for driver Jim Morrill Jr. then came up the Pocono Pike sharply in taking a new mark of 1:56.2 at 14-1 odds. Pleasure Seeker was also moving well late in finishing second, a half-length behind the winner, who is trained and owned by Laurie Patistis.
Matt Kakaley and George Napolitano Jr. both recorded driving triples on the card. Between them, the two have accounted for 29 of the 59 races to date in 2022 at Pocono – Kakaley 18, Napolitano 11.
Racing resumes at Pocono next Saturday (March 5), with the postponed second preliminary of the Game Of Claims Pacing Series serving as the headliner. Pocono will be going to a three-card-a-week schedule as March comes along: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (EST), Sunday at 5:00 p.m., and adding Monday at 1:30 p.m.
(PHHA / Pocono)