Lexus Ranger ran his local victory record to three-for-four since coming in from Hoosier Park, winning the fastest of the three $15,500 divisions of the top claiming handicap trot on Tuesday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
Lexus Ranger, an altered son of Archangel and the second choice, made every pole a winning one for driver Jim Pantaleano, keeping pocket-sitting favourite Justlikehim 1-3/4 lengths at bay to the wire in 1:53.4, the fastest win in his career. The three-for-four record of this horse recently extends to trainer Pierre Paradis and Elite Harness Racing LLC, which acquired him on April 14.
The other divisions both went to driver Marcus Miller. Mushana, on a roll in this class with victories in three of his last four starts, here went uncovered yet winning in 1:54.4 for trainer Steven Brabrook and owner Jaypaul Hoover. Miller, sitting second with favoured Diehard Seelster in the other cut, literally got a big break when the pacesetter broke turning for home, with Diehard Seelster and Miller able to easily get through along the inside for a 1:54.3 lifetime best for trainer Marc Mosher and owner Jerry Zollo.
Marcus Miller had five trips to Victory Lane to lead all local drivers on the day. He also brought home $51.40 shot Divine Spirit to take the top spot in the Downs colony with four winners paying “bomber” ($50+) mutuels this season.
Racing resumes on Saturday at Pocono with a 1 p.m. card, featuring a $25,000 Open Handicap Trot with On Higher Ground, who won in this class last week here in 1:51.4 for the fastest trot mile of the local season, starting from the outside in a field of six.
(With files from PHHA/Pocono)