Driver Dave Palone turned the W.N. Reynolds Memorial races into his own personal playground, winning four of the five divisions held at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Friday night
. The Reynolds races are the highlight of Grand Circuit Week at the track.
On Friday night, there were five “Lorraine” divisions of the Reynolds held for two-year-old fillies on the pace. The purses for the races ranged from $21,032 to $21,432.
Palone started his assault in the night’s very first race, guiding Real Chop, trained by Jim Campbell, to a front-running Lorraine win in 1:55. He then guided the first-time starter Sectionline Yankee, trained by Mike Conklin, to an engine-riding win in 1:57.2. In the third split, Palone received a bit of racing luck when the horse who finished first, Dragons Jojo, was deemed by the judges to have violated the pylon rule. As a result, Campanile, who came across the line second with Palone in the bike for trainer Erv Miller, was placed first. He left no doubt in the next split, as he drove Marty Party, trained by Joe Holloway, to a dominating win in 1:54.3, the fastest Lorraine time of the night in sloppy conditions.
Palone could not complete the sweep, finishing seventh with All Star Player in the final division. Instead, it was Frontierpan, driven by Matt Kakaley for trainer Ron Burke, who picked up the victory in 1:55.4.
Reynolds action continues on Saturday night at Pocono with three divisions of the “Tar Heel” for three-year-old colts and geldings on the pace and two divisions of the “Scott Frost” for three-year-old colts and geldings on the trot.
(Pocono Downs)