Two-year-old pacers Crunchstyle and Riverranch Miki impressed while capturing the $22,857 freshman features for males at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Tuesday, July 7.
Crunchstyle ($3), coming off a 1:53.4 maiden victory at The Downs, was wide early in his contest, briefly spotted, then moved to the lead in front of the stands for driver Ridge Warren. He then showed a big motor in back fractions of :56 - :27.1 in winning by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:52.4. Harbaugh (Matt Kakaley) finished second over Grandline Station (Tyler Buter). The winning son of Captain Crunch–Ideal Lifestyle A has started his career sharply for trainer Juan Cano and owners Cano Racing Stable LLC and Ernie Davis LLC.
The finish was much tighter in the other headline freshman feature, with the Always B Miki–Talbot Chanel ridgling Riverranch Miki ($12.40) getting the decision by the smallest possible margin over Takes Courage in 1:55.4 for his first win. Driver Braxten Boyd brought Riverranch Miki out of the pocket nearing the stretch, making Takes Courage (Matt Kakaley) go three-wide, and in a stretch slugfest the former came out slightly more photogenic while covering his last quarter in :28. Blackfoot Bluechip (Colin Kelly) was third. Jenny Melander trains the winner for Peter Venturini.
The spotlight trot of the afternoon was a $22,143 conditioned contest for class-climbing youngsters, with Highball Hanover ($2.20) living up to his heavy-favourite status by making two moves and drawing off by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:55.1. Anthony Napolitano handled the lines behind the Bar Hopping-Hall Of A Dream sophomore gelding for trainer Noel Daley and the partnership of Sjoblom Racing & M. Dolan, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing, Caviart Farms and P C Wellwood Enterprises Inc.
Anthony Napolitano led the drivers with three winners on Tuesday. His brother George bookended the 14-race card to leave his lifetime win total at 12,999. Also doubling on the sulky side were meet leader Tyler Buter and Ridge Warren. On the training side, Noel Daley and Joe Pavia Jr. both sent out two winners.
Pocono’s next pari-mutuel racing will come on Saturday at 1 p.m., with three quality fast-class events lined up for action. There will also be a carryover into the last-race High 5 wager.
(PHHA/Pocono)