The sophomore pacing colt Scootnroll, unraced at two, remained undefeated in seven career starts with a 1:52.3 victory in a $10,400 conditioned pace at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Tuesday afternoon.
A son of Roll With Joe out of the $800,000 winning mare Billmar Scooter, Scootnroll opened his career with five wins in Excelsior B races throughout New York State, including a 1:52.1 win at Vernon Downs. Purchased before his next start by Rick and Geoffrey Howles and now under the care of John Hallett, Scootnroll won an overnight at Tioga easily, and upon coming to Pocono was reunited with driver Tyler Buter, his regular pilot in New York.
Roll With Dom made the lead by the :28.2 quarter; both favoured Scootnroll and second choice P-Drive Hanover were soon afterward on the move. P-Drive Hanover first making the top and then Buter keeping his horse in high gear to gain command by the :56.1 half. There was no further threat to Scootnroll on this day–after the 1:24.4 three-quarters, the unbeaten colt came home in :27.4 to wind up four-and-a-quarter lengths to the good of P-Drive Hanover.
The Napolitano brothers, Anthony and George Jr., again were the big winners on the card, each coming home first three times. Anthony completed the four-card week with 12 winning drives; George, the leading driver at both The Downs and Harrah’s Philly, continues in amazing form–he has won 251 races over the last four months, which can be compared with the recent record of Aaron Merriman, by far the winningest driver in North America again this year, and who won 261 races over the same four months.
Racing resumes Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (EDT), with a $218,268.10 carryover for the Rainbow Pick 5 pool (won by having a unique ticket on the last five winners on the card).
(PHHA/Pocono)