George Nap & Hunter Oakes combine for double

WILKES-BARRE PA – Harness racing driver George Napolitano Jr. and trainer Hunter Oakes combined twice on Monday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, taking the $14,000 featured mares claiming handicap pace with Strawb's Chippie N and getting trotter Such An Angel repointed in the right direction with a 1:53.2 victory.

Strawb's Chippie N had taken two straight on the front end prior to joining the Oakes barn via claim for this contest, and the change in scenery provided no alteration of form – to an amazing extent. Last week the Stonebridge Regal mare posted fractions of 27, 56.1, and 1:24 in winning in a lifetime best 1:52.3; this week the timer read 27.2, 56.1, and 1:23.4 before stopping in 1:52.4. Her stay in the Northfolk Racing Stable, however, was brief, for Strawb's Chippie N was again claimed for the $24,000 tag including allowances, but a $7000 profit minus training expenses in a week is never something to turn down.

At two Such An Angel won over $145,000 while being one of the best New York Sire Stakes trotting colts; at three, the son of Credit Winner recorded but a single win, although it was right at Pocono and came in a lifetime best 1:52.3. Such An Angel had dropped all the way to the bottom conditioned level in Monday's outing, his second for Oakes, and the now-four-year-old ripped off an 11¼-length win in 1:53.2 for owner Sam Caruso Jr.

George Napolitano Jr., perennially the leading driver at Pocono, had four wins on the night.

PHHA / Pocono