On Tuesday, Aug. 25, Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania featured a pair of $21,918 contests for two-year-old pacers, one for each sex, with both winners breaking their maiden with a 1:54 tally.
Papis Bride ($3.60), a daughter of Papi Rob Hanover-Native Bride trained by Hunter Oakes, was hustled away from the gate by Brian Sears, co-owner with Kim Sears, got to the front mid-first turn, then yielded to sit the pocket behind Happy Papi (Tyler Buter) by the :28.2 quarter. Those two continued as pacesetter and pocket-sitter through middle fractions of :57.2 and 1:25.3, then Sears tipped Papis Bride out nearing headstretch, and the filly paced to the front by 1-3/4 lengths under the wire. Happy Papi saved the place by a neck over Missneverdonowrong (Colin Kelly). The winner was making her third start.
Harbaugh ($7.20), a colt by Downbytheseaside-Hometown Blues, had nearly a month since his last race, but trainer Travis Alexander had him primed for victory. Matt Kakaley gradually worked the baby to the front by a :27.4 quarter, got a breather to a :57.4 half, then kept increasing the speed. Harbaugh powered to three-quarters in 1:26.3 to keep outside challenges at bay, then still kicked home in :27.2 to hold off potential pocket rocket The Tile Guy (Braxten Boyd) by a half-length for Fiddler’s Creek Stables LLC. Barefoot Papi (Ridge Warren) finished third. Harbaugh is now one-for-four.
There was a $21,233 conditioned trot for up-and-coming horses, and the Tactical Landing-Total Diva sophomore colt Pine Bush Landau ($51.40), after 2-3-2 finishes since coming to this company, rewarded his backers at 24-1 while lowering his mark to 1:54.2. Pine Bush Landau, trained by Agostino Abbatiello for Durazzano Stable LLC, took charge early and made every pole a winning one in completing the upset.
Pine Bush Landau was driven by Anthony Napolitano, second in the Pocono meet standings and joint-first in number of $50+ winners produced during the meet. In this category, he is tied with the only sulkysitter ahead of him in the dash standings, Tyler Buter – making the top two drivers at the meet also leading in longshot production. Buter and Napolitano were joined by Matt Kakaley in notching a Tuesday driving double on the 14-race card.
Racing resumes at Pocono on Saturday at 1 p.m., with an $18,500 USD pace for the fast-class brigade and a $17,500 USD trot for developing horses.
(With files from PHHA/Pocono)