There were three $15,500 divisions of the top-level claiming handicap trot featured on the Tuesday afternoon (May 9) card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
In the first division, Nasey was made the 7-5 favourite despite his last six lines showing “break, win, break, win, break, win.” This week the Pilgrims Chuckie gelding was “win,” making the lead soon after the first turn for driver Braxten Boyd and maintaining a length advantage over pocket-sitter Truman Jr Hanover to the wire in 1:54.3. Tee Wine trains the always-interesting trotter for Jemaxpo Racing Stable LLC.
The second division also went in 1:54.3 and produced a close finish. The Archangel gelding Lexus Ranger is now two-for-two over the local oval for driver Jim Pantaleano, trainer Pierre Paradis and Elite Racing LLC. He was able to come up the inside from third at the pylons to beat both second-place Unresolved Debt and third-place Its A Horse by a head.
The photo finish unit was also needed in the 1:55.3 third division, where Simon Got Lucky equalled his lifetime mark after closing from sixth at the three-quarters to defeat pacesetter Town Victor by a nose, with pocket-sitting railshooter Ladys Image (who was claimed for $30,000) just a head away from taking it all. Simon Allard, who topped all drivers with four wins on the day, guided the Bar Hopping gelding for trainer Mark Akins and A 1 Racing.
Racing resumes at Pocono on Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m. (EDT) with an outstanding card of fast-class horses. On Sunday, May 14 at 6 p.m., the Pennsylvania “glamour division” -- the three-year-old pacing colts -- begin a two-week stay at the mountain oval with three $30,000 divisions of their Pennsylvania All-Stars event.
(PHHA / Pocono)