The Captain Crunch gelding Southwind Celsius was last at the quarter in the $23,6111 featured pace on Tuesday afternoon, July 30 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, but with astute handling by driver Braxten Boyd, the strong closer actually got a good trip to go on to win in a career best 1:51.1.
About the only fate worse than “being last at the quarter” is “being hung the whole mile raw,” and that was the route that befell favoured Arbitrage Hanover, who was not at his best on the bends. The chalk was outside mid-pack through early splits of :26.1 and :55.1, with Boyd hustling Southwind Celsius up to get directly behind Arbitrage Hanover's cover.
The favourite found a better gear straightened down the back and streaked up to challenge before the 1:23 three-quarters, with the winner being towed up perfectly. With Arbitrage Hanover’s bid stalling somewhat into the far turn, Boyd sent Southwind Celsius wide and looped to the lead, opening a clear margin and then being kept to business late as Arbitrage Hanover, who had fallen back to fifth mid-stretch, again used his top speed on a straight course to rally for second, a length back.
Mark Ford trains the winner for owners David Hamm, Glenn Phillips and Pit Bull Stable. This was the fourth victory of the day for the 24-year-old Boyd, now in the top five in the Pocono standings.
Vengeance Blue Chip ran his recent record to four wins in his last seven races and lowered his mark to 1:50.1 in winning the $20,833 sub-feature pace. The Captaintreacherous sophomore gelding was driven by George Napolitano Jr., who himself had three wins on the card, for trainer Joe Pavia Jr. and the ownership of Vincent Ferriero Jr., John Whitig, Donald Kayser and Pint Size Racing.
Racing resumes at Pocono Downs this Saturday at 1 p.m., and the card will feature three $17,000 USD trotting contests. Saturday is also Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands, and you can watch and wager on the big-time card at Pocono through its system – and get a preview of many of the world-class horses who will be coming here for the $2 million USD Sun Stakes Saturday card on Aug. 17, with the top three-year-olds and seasoned stars.
(PHHA/Pocono)