Congressional may not win very many style points for his gait, but he can go with anybody in a battle of stretch courage, just as he did on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, when he won the $29,577 featured conditioned pace in 1:49.4.
In an early three-way dance for the lead, post four leaver Be Dazzled Lou A (Anthony Napolitano) was the first to back off, tucking third, as Splash Brother (Braxten Boyd) from post six and Congressional (Kevin Wallis) from post one battled for the top, which was gained by Splash Brother after a :25.4 opener. Congressional put in a couple of his funky steps on the way to the wire the first time but quickly smoothed down, as Splash Bother cut middle fractions of :54.4 and 1:21.4, with favoured first-over Maximus Miki (Brett Beckwith) coming to him.
But for most of the lane, the battle boiled down to the pacesetter and the pocket-sitter utilizing the Pocono Pike. In a fierce duel, driver/trainer/owner Kevin Wallis kept after his six-year-old Always B Miki-Betterluck Hanover gelding right to the line, where Congressional got the nod by the smallest of margins. Goliath Hanover (Matt Kakaley) closed within a half-length from the backfield for third.
But the race was not official yet as the judges posted the inquiry light to examine the action off the first turn. It was found that Congressional did make a off-then-on type of break, violating no rules and bothering no one, and so his number was left up.
Congressional secured his fourth win of the season from 18 starts and his 24th career victory to put his earnings at $564,545.
Racing takes place next at Pocono is Monday at 1 p.m. The $27,500 USD featured handicap trot has lured 2025 Hambletonian winner Nordic Catcher S, also winner of the recent Sebastian K S Trot here; he’ll have to overcome the outside post six.
(With files from PHHA/Pocono)