Ys Do It Right stayed perfect in 2026 with a seventh consecutive win as he made his first appearance at Pocono Downs of the year in a claiming event worth $10,959 on Tuesday, Mar. 3.
A 2020 Coupe de L'Avenir champion, the Bettors Delight-Kiss Baby Kiss stallion continues to achieve at age eight. The Monticello shipper broke a six-way tie for winningest Standardbred in North America this year with his Tuesday victory as he made two speed moves and drew away by 2-1/4 lengths in the stretch, stopping the clock in 1:55 over a sloppy track. We Be Jammin (George Napolitano Jr.) was second, followed by Yepyepyep (Anthony Napolitano). Autym Sowers owns and trains Ys Do It Right, who paid $4.60 at the windows.
Belmondo and Shoresy were impressive winners in the $21,233 co-featured trotting events on the 14-race card. Belmondo ($3.20) came in from Yonkers and made short work of his opposition in 1:56.3 for Team Double D – driver Daniel Dube and trainer Deborah Daguet. The four-year-old Walner-Love Lockdown gelding, owned by Michael Cote Gagnon, was sent right to the lead and had an open margin through the last half of the mile for his first win since the 2024 Massachusetts Breeders Stakes final. On Tuesday, he was 6-3/4 lengths the best over Vanguard (Jim Kennedy), with Dusty Dungarees (George Napolitano Jr.) third.
Shoresy ($3.40) notched his third victory in as many starts since going to the meet’s leading trainer, Per Engblom, winning his co-feature by two lengths in 1:57.1. Tyler Buter, Pocono’s top reinsman in 2025 and ahead again early in this meet, worked out a second-over trip with the four-year-old son of Cantab Hall-Hs Carry On, who lost his cover mid-turn and carried on strongly to win for owners Timothy Betts and Shanamphilankilou Inc. Net Weight (Jonathan Ahle) closed for place, followed by Brother Love (Matt Kakaley).
Herschberger notched a driving triple on the card. Buter, Ridge Warren, and Anthony Napolitano had doubles, for the last-named his third two-bagger in as many racing days this week. Trainer Chelsey Faurot sent out two successful charges, ready to go after layoffs of 86 and 93 days.
Racing resumes at Pocono on Saturday at 1 p.m., featuring the richest race of the year to date at the mountain oval, the $35,000 USD Game Of Claims Pacing Series Championship for horses base-tagged at $30,000 USD. Claiming out of the final is permitted this year. In the three Game of Claims prelim rounds, the eight finalists recorded 10 victories and 21 out of 24 one-two-three finishes, which should ensure a competitive challenge for the horses and horsemen as well as for the wagering public.
(With files from PHHA/Pocono)