Trotter Hot Shot Blue Chip and pacer Fred And Ginger won the featured races on the Saturday night program at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
. Each race was a condition for non-winners of $25,000 lifetime and carried a purse of $25,000.
Hot Shot Blue Chip, who had gone winless in four tries against tough company at The Meadowlands in 2012, found his stride at the Pocono oval for a scorching victory. Driver Joe Pavia Jr. sent the six-year-old gelding from the Jonas Czernyson barn to the front end on the front stretch and, as the 8-5 second choice, he kicked away from his foes late to win by one and theee-quarter lengths in 1:52, matching the fastest trotting mile of the 2012 season at Pocono. Waldorf Hall finished second and Anders Bluestone picked up the show.
On the pacing side, Fred And Ginger, as the 2-1 favourite, took the field gate to wire with Matt Kakaley in the bike. The five-year-old stallion from the Ron Burke barn won in the same class in his previous start at Harrah’s and is now two-for-two at Pocono in 2012 after his half-length win in 1:48.4, which matched his career-best. Drop Red finished second while Shoobees Place came up late for third.
(Pocono Downs)