Dancin Yankee built up a huge lead and coasted home to victory in Saturday’s $50,000 Van Rose Memorial Pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
The race is held each year in honour of Van Rose, a longtime Northeastern Pennsylvania sportswriter and chronicler of the Pocono racing wars.
Dancin Yankee (Yankee Cruiser-Dancewiththebest), last seen finishing fifth in the Levy final at Yonkers, left from post position two in a field of eight as the 3-1 second choice. The six-year-old stallion from the Josh Green barn sat third early as a speed duel raged between Golden Receiver and Abelard Hanover on a track listed in good condition after on-and-off rain throughout the evening.
Driver Brett Miller sent Dancin Yankee first over into the clubhouse turn and wrested the lead away heading into the back stretch. The stallion then extended the lead to an insurmountable margin. The home stretch was a foregone conclusion, with Dancin Yankee gliding home to the win in a career-best 1:49.3 over Bandolito. Sweet Lou rallied for third while Dovuto Hanover, the 9-5 favourite, finished fourth.
Dancin Yankee won for the seventh time in 13 starts this season. Owned by Baron Racing Stable and Rich Lombardo, he now has 31 lifetime wins and career earnings of $766,422.
(Pocono Downs)