North America Cup eligible The Catamount Kid and Another Daily Copy tied for speed honours in capturing their respective $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for state-sired three-year-old pacing colts Sunday night (May 15) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with both tripping the timer in 1:51.2, while in the third division Voltaire scored a 14-1 upset and like the other two victors took a personal mark with his 1:52.2 clocking.
The Catamount Kid was second in his elimination for the Pennsylvania Classic and then fourth in the Classic Final the last two weeks at Pocono, finishing behind only Ron Burke trainees, but Sunday nothing got in the way of the Well Said colt en route to the winner's circle. The Catamount Kid sat a pocket trip until the three-quarters, moved out to challenge and grab the lead into the stretch, then held off Bully Pulpit from off his back for a neck decision. Simon Allard handled sulky duties for the winner, whom trainer Carl Jamieson co-owns with Thomas Kyron, George Harrison, and Brian Paquet.
Driver Jim Morrill Jr., who held the hot hand at Pocono on Sunday, posted his fourth victory of the night when he guided Another Daily Copy home first. Morrill rated a :29.2 second quarter, getting to the half in :56, then sprinted off to a big lead on the far turn, with the final one and a quarter length margin of victory over pocket-sitting Fernando Hanover a bit deceptive. Nicholas Devita trains the son of Somebeachsomewhere, who doubled his lifetime victory total with the All-Stars triumph, for owner Carl Sackheim.
It’s usually not a benefit to gap two-wide cover, but driver Tim Tetrick made it work for him and Voltaire in the other division. The Western Terror gelding was originally second-over, but couldn’t stay with his cover, letting More Dragon out – whom Voltaire and Tetrick prompted followed three-wide on the far turn, then swung wider in the stretch. Settlemoir was closing in the Pocono Pike, pacesetter JJ Flynn was trying to maintain his advantage, and More Dragon continued his wide gain - but in the last 50 yards Voltaire found his best strides and was along to win by a head over Settlemoir, who was a neck ahead of More Dragon, with JJ Flynn settling for fourth. Brian Malone conditions the winner for owners Peter Paul Venturini and Peter Venturini III.
Pennsylvania All-Stars action continues in the second half of the Pocono race week, Monday and Tuesday, with three $30,000 divisions for distaffs each night: the pacers in the spotlight Monday, and then the trotters headlining on Tuesday.
(With files from PHHA / Pocono)