On Thursday, May 28, The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono conducted a nine-race morning qualifying session which featured three dashes that were exclusively for two-year-olds.
Shadow Play filly Miss Read rallied from the pocket in Race 1 and unleashed a :28.2 final quarter for driver Howard Parker to win by a half-length in 2:01. She defeated another late charger, Nips Beach Girl. Miss Read is trained by Leigh Raymer. The filly was purchased for $5,500 despite the fact that her dam had produced three $100,000 winners (Green Olives, Totally Fresh, Aces Over).
In Race 3, ‘Team Raymer’ came right back with a Donato Hanover colt, Mr Right, whom driver Tyler Raymer sent to the top after the quarter. The colt came his back half in :58.3 (with a 29-second final quarter) to complete a 2:01.3 victory for Leigh, who co-owns with Stephen Moss, Harold Solomon, and Helene Solomon. Mr Right – who is aptly-named, to date – was a $25,000 yearling purchase, and he is out of a dam who is a sister to the $600,000 winner Somebody To Love.
In Race 2, driver Brewer Adams stole a 1:05.2 opening half-mile with the American Ideal colt Gaius Crastinus, then zipped him home with a pair of :29 quarters to hold off first-over Kiss Baby Kiss. The win time was 2:03.2. Jennifer Sabot conditions Gaius Crastinus, who is out of a dam whose sister is the well-known $1-million winner Feeling You, for owner/breeder Marilee Keene.
(With files from PHHA / Pocono)