Owner Jerry Silva should feel pretty good about his chances in Saturday’s $300,000 Max C. Hempt Stakes at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs for three-year-old pacers. After all, he’s got a piece of both elimination winners
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Since that’s the case, One More Laugh and Fred And Ginger, who each rolled to an elimination win last Saturday as heavy favourites, are coupled in the betting for this Saturday’s final and have been made the even-money morning line favourites in the race.
One More Laugh, a winner of nine of 12 races as a two-year-old for trainer Ray Schnittker, including the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship, came off a layoff to win his split on Saturday in 1:51.3. A few races later, Fred And Ginger, a standout from the Ron Burke barn, made up for a near-miss in the Berry’s Creek final at The Meadowlands in his previous race by dominating on the front end to win in 1:50.4.
The two go into Saturday as entrymates, with One More Laugh assigned the five post in the field of nine and Fred And Ginger right alongside in the six-hole. Tim Tetrick is scheduled to drive One More Laugh, while Dave Palone is once again expected to pilot Fred And Ginger.
Oddly enough, the two horses who finished second in last week’s splits, Pang Shui, also trained by Schnittker, and Europan Union, trained by Erv Miller, are also coupled in the betting as a 3-1 morning line second choice, as both are owned by Peter Pan Stables Inc. of Ohio. Jim Morrill Jr. will have his choice of these horses to drive, as he was listed as the driver on the both horses at the draw.
The entire field for the Hempt, along with their tentatively scheduled drivers and trainers, in post position order:
1. Pang Shui (Morrill, Schnittker)
2. Philanthropist (Anthony Morgan, Mark Kesmodel)
3. Lap Hanover (Matt Kakaley, Burke)
4. Sharks Legacy (Joe Pavia Jr., Tom Fanning)
5. One More Laugh (Tetrick, Schnittker)
6. Fred And Ginger (Palone, Burke)
7. Sand Savage (Brett Miller, Jim Arledge Jr.)
8. Europan Union (Morrill, Miller)
9. Indelible Hanover (George Napolitano Jr., Mickey Peterson
The Hempt is the 12th race on a 16-race program on Saturday night at Pocono. The first post time is at 6:30 p.m. ET.
(Pocono Downs)