A Better Game was able to back out behind first-over Whos Smokin N as the latter took the lead late in the backstretch, then caught the new leader late in 1:51.4 to win the $17,000 pacing female feature Sunday (May 29) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
The victorious daughter of Betterthancheddar had the lead at the :26.3 quarter, then ceded command to favoured Odds On Whitney to sit the pocket to and past a :55.1 half. Whos Smokin N rushed up from last in the six-horse field to take over nearing the 1:23.2 three-quarters. With no cover keeping with the brusher, driver Braxten Boyd was able to get a clear path for A Better Game to mount a stretch bid, and the winner proved a neck better than her game adversary. Mike Watson conditions the winner for owner Patrick Gregory.
The $14,500 distaff pacing co-feature for fast-class horses was won impressively by Dance Club, a daughter of A Rocknroll Dance who boogied to a 1:51.3 victory. Atypically on a night kind to neither favourites (two for 13 in wins) nor pacesetters (three for 13), Dance Club reached the lead nearing a :26.4 quarter, hit the half in :55.3, then had left the field for good by the 1:22.4 three-quarters, winning by 6-1/4 lengths for driver George Napolitano Jr. and owner-trainer Gilbert Garcia-Herrera.
On Memorial Day Monday’s (May 30) 1:30 p.m. (EDT) card, the three-year-old pacing colts will be at the mountain oval for the second prelim of their Pennsylvania Sire Stakes competition, with all three winners in recent Pennsylvania All-Stars action here – Mad Max Hanover, Market Based and Night Hawk – trying to stay in sharp form as the major stakes season is on the horizon. Program pages are available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Pocono)