Gray Dragon won his fourth straight outing over The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono’s oval Tuesday (June 8), contending with a sloppy surface for the first time but that making no difference as he won the pacing cut of twin $15,300 features in 1:50.4.
Driver Mark MacDonald made no mistakes in gradually sending the son of Dragon Again to the lead, reaching that point in front of the stands the first time, and the talented four-year-old maintained the advantage from there, winning over a good field for trainer John Butenschoen (one of three on the day for him) and owners Emerald Highland Farms. In the middle of this win streak, Gray Dragon did make one trip to The Meadowlands — and would have had to pace home in 1:19.4 from where he was at the quarter. But given reasonable expectations, the gray has been able to produce repeatedly.
In the trotting feature, AP Hall Of Trix was well-placed off a fast early pace, brushed to the lead at the three-quarters, then was able to hold off favoured Magnificent Seven by a neck while taking a new mark of 1:53.4. Matt Kakaley, a four-time winner on the Tuesday card, held the Trixton gelding together late in winning for owner/trainer David Hoover.
Live harness racing resumes at The Downs on Saturday afternoon at 12:30. On Sunday’s 5:00 p.m. card, there will be two $35,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for three-year-old trotting fillies; many of the sophomores who competed in Sire Stakes and Stallion Series action for this grouping last week will try their luck again over the mountain oval, including the two Sire Stakes winners, Bella Bellini and Lady Chaos. Program pages will be available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Pocono)