The Chapter Seven gelding Hashtagmadeyalook, who came into Pocono showing strong Meadowlands form, was bet down to 1-9 favouritism in the $12,800 claiming handicap trot Tuesday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, won easily in 1:53.2 – and then was taken for the $25,000 claiming tag.
Pocono’s leading driver George Napolitano Jr., who had four winners on the card, sent Hashtagmadeyalook right to the lead and rattled off fractions of :27.4, :56.2, and 1:24.3. The duo stretched a two-length lead at the three-quarters to seven and a quarter lengths at the finish. Trainer Richard Johnson and owner Carmen Iannacone may be sorry to see the trotter move to a new barn, but they have done all right with him, with the form showing three wins and a second since June 29 and earnings of $21,275 in that short period.
The Rainbow Pick 5 again had multiple solvers, so the carryover going into Saturday afternoon’s card will be $142,216.54.
Pennsylvania-sired two-year-old colts will contest their final preliminaries in the sire stakes and Stallion Series on the Sunday twilight card. 'Double sires' winners In Range and Captain Corey seem to have secured themselves a spot in their championship event, to take place during the $1.2 million Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Two-Year-Old Championship Day on Saturday afternoon, September 5. However, they and the rest of the entrants in the $206,722 two-division event – and the top 14 in the current standings all dropped in – will all be looking for a high finish in a bid to make the championship and approach it in sharp form.
There will also be four $20,000 fields of Stallion Series action, with Sunny Crockett looking to complete a sweep of his preliminary action.
(PHHA/Pocono)