On a Sunday (Sept. 5) twilight card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono where many frequent visitors to the local winners circle did so again, nine-time seasonal winner Crazy Cute, leading driver George Napolitano Jr., and leading trainer Gilbert Garcia-Herrera won the $19,300 distaff pacing feature — but as the 10-1 longest shot on the board.
The Art Major mare had won her two previous starts before stepping up to this class last time and tiring after going uncovered to the lead at the 1:22.2 three-quarters, but the public abandoned her in a competitive six-horse matchup where the favoruite was at 2-1. This week, Napolitano raced Crazy Cute off a hot :54 half, then swung off cover in the stretch and won a blanket finish by a head over Bye Bye Felicia. Garcia-Herrera co-owns Crazy Cute, a winner of $238,950, with Barbara Arnstine.
After holding their summer Championship last week, the amateur drivers of the American Harness Drivers Club were right back to work to start their fall series. Bob Krivelin, the only three-time Amateur Driver of the Year (2001, 2012, 2014), got home first with 13-1 shot Muay Hanover. This Donato Hanover gelding, trained by Dan Gill for owners Edward and James Hall Jr., had had poor racing luck, worked out a good journey behind a contested pace and then struck the front to win in 1:57.4.
Feature winners Napolitano and Garcia-Herrera, along with Matt Kakaley and Anthony Napolitano, each had three winners on the card.
Monday’s (Sept. 6) card at Pocono will be highlighted by an $11,200 fast-class trot, plus several events for developing two-year-olds. Post time is 12:30 p.m. Eastern; program pages are available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA/Pocono)