The two $11,700 featured paces for 2-year-old colts and geldings on a hot Monday afternoon (July 12) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono both resulted in photo finishes, with Hunted House and Stewardoftheland proving more photogenic than the betting favourites.
Hunted House, a gray son of Huntsville–Gray Ghost, set fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:26 under the guidance of Mark MacDonald — at the last-named station bracing for the uncovered onslaught of Forrest Blu. The first-over horse did gain a short lead, but Hunted House showed courage to the wire, finishing with a head advantage while stopping the timer in a career-best 1:53.4 in his purse bow. Trainer Ray Schnittker also is part-owner of the distinctive colt with David Pepin and Flintlock Farm Inc.
Huntsville completed a siring double in the features when Stewardoftheland (out of Paltrow Blue Chip) was able to rally for a nose tally in 1:56, a career mark. Regents Hanover went somewhat pedestrian fractions of :28.2, :58.2, and 1:27.4 setting the pace, but the 17-1 winner used a sharp last sixteenth burst from the pocket to score the upset for driver Tom Jackson, trainer Lisa Martin, and owner David Koslowsky.
The usual complement of three $15,300 races for the improving “NW 8 races” group of horses will be the highlights of the Tuesday (July 13) card at Pocono: one race for pacing males, one race for pacing females, and one race for trotters. Program pages for the 12:30 p.m. (EDT) card are available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Pocono)