LKs Nancy Lee -- second to Unbeamlieveable the last two weeks in the high-level distaff claiming handicap pacing ranks at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono -- got to the lead despite the outside Post 9 and turned the tables on her tormentor, defeating Unbeamlieveable by a neck in the $14,000 Monday feature at The Downs.
LKs Nancy Lee, making her debut for trainer Hunter Oakes and the Northfork Racing Stable after a $24,000 claim last week, immediately started producing returns by going to the top for driver Anthony Napolitano after a :26.3 opening quarter, getting moderate middle splits, then holding gamely against the late charge of Unbeamlieveable in 1:53.3. The daughter of Yankee Skyscraper ran her career earnings to $198,826.
The first pari-mutuel race for two-year-olds at Pocono this year was held for filly trotters, and Scirocco Donnahill went wire-to-wire despite the outside post eight for driver Corey Callahan and trainer John Butenschoen in 2:00.4, last quarter :29.2. A former season’s leader (that seems an odd thing to write about a freshman on June 25), the daughter of Muscle Hill-UF Tadys Donato, a half-sister to the $1 million winner Hez Striking, shows much promise for owners Kathleen and Lewis Whitaker, Jr.
Pocono had two $50+ “bombers” strike last night, and there was another big upset on the Monday card, as “The Trot Man,” driver Mike Simons, rallied Aquilio from second-over to a nose victory at $77.20 for trainer Bill Popfinger.
The outstanding card for this Saturday’s $2,120,000 Sun Stakes Saturday Championship Night was drawn today; a release with the morning line and any driver changes will be distributed Tuesday afternoon.
(PHHA / Pocono)