A pair of $22,603 events for the top claiming pacers on the grounds headed the Sunday, June 2 night card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Both winners emerged triumphant for the third time in their last four starts, and both scored the victory on the front.
Shoobee Doo A blasted away from the rail for driver Matt Kakaley and put Trip Hammer behind him; that one sat behind the pacesetter’s fractions of :26.2, :55.4 and 1:23.3. The pocket horse moved outside entering the stretch but couldn’t gain significantly in a :27.1 kicker, with Shoobee Doo A winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:50.4. Shoobee Doo A was claimed for $41,096 from owner Adam Short and trainer Darren Tanneyhill.
The racing pattern was identical to the stretch in the other featured event: Winbak Willy T left hard for driver George Napolitano Jr. and forced a tuck from South Point before the :26.4 quarter, then went on to mid-fractions of :55.1 and 1:23. South Point tried the Pocono Pike in going after the leader and gained a little, but couldn’t quite match strides with the winning son of Art Major, finishing 1-1/4 lengths back in the 1:51.2 mile. Dean Eckley trains the winner for owner Kathleen Napolitano.
Top winners on the card were driver Anthony Napolitano and trainer Darren Taneyhill, with three visits to the winner's circle.
Pocono concludes its racing week with 1 p.m. cards on Monday, June 3 and Tuesday, June 4.
(With files from PHHA/Pocono)