Shipshape capped off a profitable run with a victory in the $28,571 Game Of Claims Pacing Series Championship for $21,429 base-tagged horses on Monday, March 24 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
Claimed for $8,696 at The Meadows on Feb. 5 by Team Pirillo—trainer Justin and owner Gianna—Shipshape has since earned $38,256 for his new connections. The Captaintreacherous-Fresh Idea gelding, who sandwiched a fourth-place finish between preliminary wins, delivered a stellar performance in the $28,571 Game Of Claims Pacing Series Championship. He forced favoured Tellitsabb into a blistering :26.1 opening quarter before settling into the pocket through middle fractions of :55.3 and 1:23.2. Driver Jim Pantaleano then guided him up the inside via the ‘Pocono Pike,’ where he surged past the leader to capture the victory in 1:52.4 by 1-1/2 lengths.
With a Game Of Claims Series for trotters valued between $20,000 USD and $30,000 USD set to begin in two weeks, interest in diamond gaiters within that price range has surged, none more so than Chapolier. The Chapter Seven-Holier Than Thou gelding turned heads Monday, winning the $22,857 co-feature handicap claimer at Pocono Downs in a season’s best 1:53.2, despite starting from the outside post eight. Tyler Buter, the fourth different driver to guide Chapolier in as many starts, steered the trotter to his fifth consecutive victory. After a one-week reunion with trainer Hunter Oakes and P T Stable, the streak also marks the fourth straight time Chapolier will be changing hands.
Tyler Buter made four trips to the winner’s circle on Monday, closing the gap in the driver standings at Pocono Downs. His strong showing chipped away at the meet lead held by George Napolitano Jr., who scored a double on the card and now has a slim 37-35 advantage.
The Game Of Claims pacing series continues Tuesday, March 25 at Pocono Downs with 10 divisions battling for $9,000 USD apiece in the final preliminary leg for $15,000 USD base-tagged horses. Leading the charge are two-time prelim winners Stick With Cramer and Captain Terminator, as the group gears up for next week’s $17,500 USD Championship. The Tuesday Pocono card will also feature carryover pools in the first race Pick 4 and the fifth race Pick 3.
(With files from PHHA/Pocono)