Louisville GB continued her ascent up the condition ladder, braving chilly conditions and delivering a powerful front-end victory in the $24,638 distaff pacing feature on Monday, March 3 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
Tyler Buter, the day’s driving star with five trips to Victory Lane, initially looked to leave with Louisville GB before easing her back as inside contenders settled. He sent the talented Great Britain-bred mare forward after a :27.2 opening quarter, securing the lead and then stealing a breather to the :57 half while facing a stretch headwind. She picked up the tempo to reach three-quarters in 1:24.4, and with only mild encouragement from Buter, held safe by 1-1/4 lengths at the wire and clocking a time of 1:53.1. Kiss My Cheek (Matt Kakaley) finished second, while Gingertree Carilin (George Napolitano Jr.) took third.
Robert Cleary trains the Sweet Lou - The Player Hanover mare, now five-for-six stateside, for owner Kenneth Jacobs.
Among the overnight contenders, the Chapter Seven-Holier Than Thou gelding Chapolier became the meet’s first three-time winner, capturing a $23,188 claiming handicap trot in 1:55.3 with Matt Kakaley in the bike. In his case, turnabout was the turnout—claimed last week for $35,714 by owner P T Stable and trainer Hunter Oakes, Chapolier changed hands again after this latest victory.
The first preliminary of the Game Of Claims Series for $21,739-valued pacers featured eight $17,391 divisions—and proved to be a graveyard for favourites. Not a single public choice managed to reach the winner’s circle. However, drivers Jim Pantaleano, Anthony Napolitano, and Tyler Buter each found success twice in the day’s Game Of Claims action.
The fastest mile in the Game of Claims Series came right off the bat in the day’s opening race, as Shipshape, a Captaintreacherous–Fresh Idea gelding, shipped in from The Meadows with four wins in his last six starts—none above a $10,145 claiming tag. He easily handled the class jump, going wire-to-wire in 1:52.2 for driver Jim Pantaleano, trainer Justin Pirillo, and owner Gianna Pirillo. Not far behind on the clock was Remember The Beach, a Somebeachsomewhere–Allamerican Memoir gelding, who also set a fast pace and scored in 1:52.4 for driver Anthony Napolitano, trainer Emily Bost, and owner James McDonald.
Two of Buter’s Game of Claims Series winners were among the three horses claimed from the day’s action. One was Gentlemanjim II IR (formerly Gentlemanjim II IE), a Kikikolt–Artist Control gelding who reached the wire first in 1:54.4 before departing the barn of trainer Herbert Lux III and owners William Mullen and Carver Racing LLC. The other was Ben Solo, a Huntsville–Leah gelding, who scored in 1:54.2 for his “old connections,” trainer Matthew Medeiros and owner Jesmeral Stable.
The third claimed winner was Tellitsabb, a Tellitlikeitis–Move On B B gelding, who powered through two big moves to win in 1:53.4 with driver Brad Irvine. He now exits the barn of trainer Lee Morris, who co-owned with Mindy Repko.
In total, 11 horses were claimed from the Game of Claims Series for a combined $239,130. Including two "overnight trotters"—among them, Chapolier—the day's final tally reached 13 claims, totalling $297,101.
The other winners for the Game of Claims driving doublers, Napolitano and Pantaleano, were, respectively, Majestic Kiwi N, a Bettors Delight–All The Way Home gelding, who delivered a bombshell victory at $83.20 in 1:55.3 for trainer Paul Blumenfeld and owner Jordan Schafer. The other was TJs Indy Pacer, an altered son of JK Endofanera–Lucky Amy, who crossed the wire first in 1:55.1 for trainer Darren Taneyhill and owner Mark Jakubik.
Tuesday racing returns to Pocono’s regular schedule, with the next card set for a 1 p.m. post time. Bettors can chase a carryover into the fifth-race Pick 5 pool, as well as another into the Race 16 High 5. Action resumes Saturday, highlighted by a $25,000 USD fast-class pace and six divisions of the final Game of Claims Series preliminary. Horses valued at $30,000 USD this week will be vying for a spot in the $35,000 USD series championship on March 15—while owners, eyeing sharp contenders, are likely to keep the claiming box busy.
(With files from PHHA/Pocono)