The five $7,500 divisions of the second preliminary round for Game Of Claims Pacing Series horses wearing a $9,000 basic tag this week was held on Monday at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania and had no repeat winners from the initial week of this series.
Two of the five winners were claimed for the second straight week, but neither of those were the fastest winner. That honour went to Toddler Tantrum, who skipped the first preliminary, won in 1:53.3 for driver Braxten Boyd and will be changing homes this week, along with winners and double claimees Pantheon Hanover (1:54.4, also with Boyd aboard) and Caviart Skipper (1:55.2, Jim Morrill Jr.)
The two winners who did get to go back to familiar surroundings after their Monday wins were Lincolnjames (1:54.4, Matt Kakaley) and Somwherenbrookln N (1:55.2, Tyler Buter).
The action at the claiming box, in terms of claims and money changing hands, totalled four claims and $36,000 on Monday, 27 claims and $530,375 for the three-card week ending Monday, and 65 claims and $1,244,125 for the young meet.
In the $15,000 trotting feature for the overnight horses, the Walner gelding TNT Blue Chip lowered his mark to 1:54.3 under less than ideal racing conditions for driver Anthony Napolitano. TNT Blue Chip moved after the :28.2 quarter to take the lead, put up fractions of :57.2 and 1:26.1, and was under no threat in the stretch as he was victorious for trainer Bruce Clarke, co-owner with Patricia Waldeck.
For the second straight day, Anthony Napolitano guided home four winners, giving him 10 for the three-day racing week and tying him at the top of the meet standings with Matt Kakaley at 26 wins.
The third and final preliminary legs of the Game Of Claims Pacing Series will be taking place over the 1 p.m. cards this coming Saturday, Sunday and Monday – the horses’ final chances to earn spots into their rich championship the week afterwards, while the owners and trainers will be completing their game of “musical chairs” to see who can have a series favourite in their barn ahead of the finales.
(With files from PHHA/Pocono)