The old adage has it that “I’d rather be lucky than smart,” but it’s better still when you’re lucky AND smart – as was driver Matt Kakaley, who guided the American Ideal mare Scandalicious to a 1:51.3 in the $14,000 high-level conditioned pace for mares Tuesday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Kakaley and Scandalicious, leaving from post two, were third-inside during contentious early fractions of :26.1 and :55, and things did not look good when Twin B Elite roared up three-wide down the backstretch to take on the softened front end, crossing down to two-wide and keeping Scandalicious pinned in before the parked horse had backed off. But the horse following Twin B Elite’s cover could not keep up late on the backstretch, so Kakaley deftly moved Scandalicious to the outside at the three-quarter pole, and the career winner of $336,813 took it from there, drawing off to win by 2-1/4 lengths for trainer Scott Di Domenico and owners JFE Enterprises LLC.
In the card’s opener, the Western Terror sophomore filly Lindys Nightmare ran her career record to five wins in six starts with a 1:52.4 victory in a $16,000 “nw 5 races” pace. But the victory for the heavily favoured filly, who broke in her debut and since has been perfect, including winning the Town Pro Series Final at Mohawk, was very far from as easy as her backing might suggest – Brett Miller had to circle cover and come from fifth at the stretch call, and third 50 feet from the wire, to earn the neck decision for trainer Frank Antonacci and owner/breeder Lindy Farms of Connecticut.
Lindys Nightmare had over $6,600 of a $9,500 win pool on her nose; in contrast, second race winner Keystone Tempo had only slightly more than $100 bet on her to win when she took an upset victory in the second half of the Early Double.
Pocono’s “Trot Man,” driver Mike Simons, came first-over in the latter stages with his Cantab Hall mare to win in 1:56.1 and pay $77.20 for a $2 win wager.
Double players fancied Keystone Tempo more than win wagerers did – the Early Double with Lindy’s Nightmare on top returned $68.40.
(PHHA/Pocono)