A pair of $20,548 contests for developing trotters highlighted the Monday afternoon, June 2 card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
There could be no better illustration of “developing trotter” than the Aperfectyankee colt Themoneyisback S, who is now perfect in three 2025 starts after lowering his mark to 1:53.4. Driver-trainer Jim Oscarsson moved the sophomore, the crowd’s heavy choice, to the lead past the quarter around Onemore Volo, and though that one gave valiant chase throughout and was only three parts of a length at the wire, Themoneyisback S again got the major share of the money for Oscarsson Racing Stable Inc.
The other division was also won by a front-stepping favourite, the Walner colt Assiduous, and he also had a menacing rival chasing him – but in Assiduous’ case, only for a bit less than a quarter-mile. The winner got command then had a breather to the half, but he had to pick up his game as Inferno DK charged up during a :28.1 third quarter and actually gained a momentary slight advantage. But driver-trainer Jim Pantaleano wouldn’t let the first-over pass his horse, and just before the third station, Inferno DK broke, leaving Assiduous clear to scamper off by three lengths in 1:56.1 for Elite Harness Racing LLC.
Driver Tyler Buter and trainer Ron Burke each registered three victories to take Monday honours at The Downs. They teamed to sweep the Late Double, with one of the success stories the $3.3 million winner This Is The Plan, now a winner of two straight.
Tuesday (June 3) has been the day to feature top-level claiming handicap trotters at Pocono virtually the whole meet, and the tradition continues with a $16,000 USD purse in race 10 and a $15,000 USD bounty in race one for the track’s best in this category. (By the way, the group’s “spiritual leader,” Chapolier, won 11 straight here, was claimed and raced at The Meadows last week, and stepped right into the Open Handicap there and was a winner, for 12 in a row!) Tuesday’s card will also have a carryover into the last race High 5 wager.
(PHHA / Pocono)