Fourteen qualifiers for two-year-olds, four for each sex of pacers and three each on the trotting side, were held at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania Wednesday (June 14). Rain moved in early in the session, with the track being re-rated twice and ending up “sloppy” for the majority of the races.
Trainer/driver Todd Schadel was the big winner on the day with five success stories, including at least one in each of the four groupings. He also had the fastest overall performer of the day, Adriatico Hanover, a Stay Hungry gelding out of the $1.6 million winning Armbro Amoretto. The baby paced home in :56 from the pocket to stop the timer in 1:56 (fast track) for the ownership of Schadel, Rick Beinahuer, Timothy Hayes and Dr. Megan Moschgat. Another member of the Schadel barn, the Betting Line-Wine Snob gelding Twiggs Pub, now has two wins after a 1:58 tally.
Quickest among the pacing fillies was Bronx Barista, a daughter of Huntsville-Apricot Soul who also has two successful baby outings, this one in 1:57.3 for driver Mark MacDonald and trainer Ray Schnittker, who is also co-owner with Ted Gewertz and Kitefield Stable. Joining Bronx Barista from this group as a two-time morning winner was the Schadelite Lady Devine (1:58.3, Heston Blue Chip-Booty Call).
Trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt sent out three winners during the session, including two in the trotting colt section. His faster winner was the Bar Hopping-Chezatter colt Coors Hanover, who came his own last half in :58.2 while winning in 2:00.4 (“good” surface) for Brochart Stable Inc.
Among the freshman trotting misses, the Cantab Hall-Dew To Win filly Diamante Hanover proved quickest, winning in 2:01.1 on the engine, with back fractions of :58.3 - :29. Matt Kakaley drove for trainer Emily Bost and owner Bruce James Potter.
Also in the early program was Backstreet Shadow, needing to qualify after a mishap in the Battle Of Lake Erie. The Yonkers co-track record holder (1:49.3) showed all was back to normal with a 1:53.1 win, last half in :56.
(PHHA / Pocono)