The 2018 racing season opened on Saturday, March 17 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, and a pair of $17,000 match ups for developing younger horses were the spotlight races on the card.
George Napolitano Jr., the defending six-time driving champion at Pocono, drove Winneress through the passing lane to win the $17,000 trot in 1:56. The son of Credit Winner was victorious for trainer/owner Gilbert Garcia-Herrera.
Good Living posted the fastest mile of the evening in the $17,000 pace, winning in 1:50.3. By Western Ideal out of the Artiscape mare Delinquent Account, Good Living commandeered the field by the quarter, holding control for the remainder of the mile as he advanced to a lifetime-best time. Anthony Napolitano, who won five races on the card, won for owner John Cancelliere and trainer Thomas Cancelliere.
Also on the card were a pair of $14,000 conditioned events on both gaits for older horses.
Upfront Billy raced strongly on the lead in the trot, progressing to a 1:54.3 victory for driver Anthony Napolitano and trainer Mark Ford, who co-owns with Up Front Racing. It was the 50th victory for the gelded son of Andover Hall, who now has earnings of $832,172.
In the pace, the brother team of trainer Rene Allard and driver Simon Allard won with Somewhere Fancy. The son of Somebeachsomewhere brushed to the lead past the half, remaining on top to the wire in 1:51. Owned by John Mehlenbacher, Somewhere Fancy has earned $473,394.
(With files from the PHHA)