As announcer Jim Beviglia put it, “So Nice made it look so easy.” The daughter of Ponder indeed dominated Tuesday’s $15,500 pacing mares feature at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono with a six and a half-length triumph in 1:51.
Although established as the 3-5 chalk coming off a lifetime best 1:49.3 last week, So Nice was given hard early argument for the lead by Tipitina, who finally wrested the top after a searing :25.4 opener. But So Nice reclaimed the top quickly thereafter, posted middle splits of :55 and 1:22.1, and the last quarter became merely a decider of the winning margin and who would get the minor awards. Tipitina held for second, with Show Runner finishing third.
George Napolitano, Jr. was again in the sulky behind the Amber Buter-trained winner, who boosted her lifetime earnings to $350,218 with the win for the Gene Oldford Farms LLC, Steve Oldford, and Tyler Buter.
Napolitano, the Downs’ all-time leading driver and again far ahead in the win column during 2016, also reined the winner of Tuesday’s $14,000 co-feature.
The I Scoot Hanover mare Velocity Vespa continued to show her fondness for the local red clay oval by raising her 2016 local tally to 3-for-3 with a 3-¼ length triumph in 1:51.3 for trainer Chris and owner Susan Oakes.
In all, 'George Nap' piloted home eight winners on the Tuesday night card at the mountain oval.
(Pocono Downs)