Kyuquot, buried along the inside much of the way in the $40,000 Bobby Weiss Series Championship for three-year-old males Saturday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, was angled to the far outside the first part of the stretch by driver Tyler Buter, then got up on the line for a 70-1 upset in 1:52.2, while heavy favourite One Eight Hundred was trapped behind a horse and got shuffled out of contention.
One Eight Hundred was sent right to the lead and took the field to the quarter in :26.1; when parked challenger Straight Talk argued hard for the lead, One Eight Hundred elected to sit the pocket as Straight Talk went on to command and passed the half in :54.3. Trevors Ace went first-over to press the leader and then seized the lead at the 1:23 three-quarters, with the chalk stuck behind the faltering pacesetter. In the stretch it looked like Trevors Ace was going to take the big money, but Buter had his Sportswriter gelding in top gear the last sixteenth and posted a nose decision. One Eight Hundred finally shook loose and came up the Pocono Pike to salvage a fifth while beaten only two lengths.
Kyuquot had been fourth, second, and third in his three Weiss prelims, but he picked the right time for a big mile for trainer Daniel Renaud and owner Robert Di Nozzi.
There were also two $17,500 Weiss Series Consolations for those in this section not making the final, and both went to favourites who set a lifetime mark of 1:51.3 in their victories.
Warrawee Whynot has shown a fine turn of speed with a bit of greenness in his brief career, and both were on display as the sophomore broke his maiden, rallying from the pocket to win safely. Trainer Shane Tritton will be looking to find the key to his newly-acquired pupil, a full sibling to world champion Warrawee Ubeaut (Sweet Lou - Great Memories) who offers promise for the ownership of Singh & Soulsby, Gil Short, and Alan Weisenberg.
The other winner, the A Rocknroll Dance gelding Captain Sleaze, made every pole a winning one in a good mile for driver Marcus Miller, trainer/father Erv Miller, and the ownership of Engel Stable of IL LLC.
Another heavily-backed horse took it on the chin in the $17,200 fast-class featured pace, as Pocono favorite Highalator, in his first start since January 2, broke equipment going to the quarter and was pulled up. The winner of the race was the Mach Three gelding J M Mandamin, who remained undefeated in four seasonal outings at Pocono with a two-move victory in 1:50.4 for the sister/brother team of trainer Jennifer and driver Joe Bongiorno and owner Robert Weinstein.
The Pocono excitement carried all the way to the card’s final race, as Bill Haley N rocked home powerfully to win in 1:49.3, fastest time of the 2021 meet. Anthony Napolitano picked up his fourth winner of the day behind the Kiwi import.
The 12-year-old Mykindachip pushed his career earnings over seven figures with a 1:51.2 victory. The 67-time winner boosted his bankroll to $1,003,822 while also under Napolitano's guidance.
Sunday’s card at Pocono, which begins at 5:00 p.m., will feature the $40,000 Weiss Series Championship for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Top Me Off was the only horse in this grouping to win all three of his preliminary races, but if he is going to effect a “sweep” he’ll have to do it starting from the outside number nine post for trainer/driver Todd Schadel. Program pages will be available on the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Pocono)