Rockstar Angel A established herself as a possible star in her first race since shipping from Australia, as she captured the $14,000 featured distaff pace on Tuesday (July 24) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 1:52.4 over 'sloppy' going.
A 16-time winner in 54 starts before shipping to the States, Rockstar Angel A tucked in fourth early for driver Brett Miller, who then had no hesitation to pull the favourite at the three-eighths to go frontward and challenge second choice Scandalicious on the lead. The Rocknroll Hanover mare worked up uncovered while going her own last half in :55 over the off track, then found an even better gear and drew away from a close fight in early stretch to win by three lengths with plenty left for trainer Chris Oakes and the Northfolk Racing Stable.
My Cousin Vinnie snapped a 46-race losing streak dating back to Oct. 30, 2016, overcoming a first-over journey for driver George Napolitano Jr. to win in 1:57.1. The six-year-old Yankee Glide gelding won by 2-1/2 lengths for trainer Karen Fread and Fread Stables LLC. My Cousin Vinnie wasn’t totally unproductive during his winless skein – he had four seconds and seven thirds, and earned $28,073 between victories.
(PHHA/Pocono)