Keystone Velocity, taking advantage of a classic second-over trip behind live cover, moved three-wide headstretch and was the strongest in the lane to take the featured $20,000 pace at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Saturday in 1:50.2.
Badiou Hanover was three-wide leaving and took the lead around Starlite Kid before the :26.2 quarter, then got to the half in :54.4. Keystone Velocity pulled out from sixth in the seven-horse field on the second turn then got cover at the half from Nitro Seelster, who hit high gear and advanced on the leader through the 1:22.3 three-quarters and then around the turn –- just the trip Keystone Velocity wanted.
Driver Andrew McCarthy tipped the son of Western Hanover three-high at the top of the stretch, and as Starlite Kid took to the Pocono Pike to challenge Badiou Hanover, Keystone Velocity was reaching maximum velocity out in midtrack, sweeping by late to win by three parts of a length over Starlite Kid, who was in turn a half-length ahead of Badiou Hanover.
The win with Keystone Velocity is the second for newly-minted trainer Austin Brubacker, who conditions the winner of more than $446,000 for owner Lauretta Galm.
Broadway Donna, 2015’s U.S. Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year, makes her 2016 debut Sunday night in one of three divisions of the second preliminary leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes here at Pocono. On Monday, the sophomore trotting misses’ Stallion Series compatriots will take the local center stage.
(with files from PHHA/Pocono)