Longshots and quick trotters the order of the day

WILKES-BARRE PA – Favorites won both harness racing divisions of the $11,000 claiming handicap trot at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Tuesday, and their times were within one fifth of each other – but a pair of $50+ bombers provided some diversity during the afternoon’s proceedings.

The quicker of the feature winners was the Muscle Hill gelding Gaelihill, who controlled the pace then stepped home in :57 to hold off onrushing Boom Boom Bay by a head in 1:55.3 under the guidance of George Napolitano Jr., who led all Pocono drivers with three victories on the day.

GAELIHILL REPLAY

Gaelihill has been quite the center of claiming activity. After winning two of three starts for trainer Dean Eckley, the trotter changed hands via claim to Flying A Racing Stable – and then was claimed right back by Eckley and partner William Hartt for this victory. The owners won $5500 today – before Gaelihill was again claimed by Flying A out of this race.

The 1:55.4 feature divisional winner was the Muscle Mass gelding Dart Guy, who has had to go the hard uncovered route in his last two races, but both have resulted in victories for driver Anthony Napolitano and trainer Marta Piotrow, who also owns the horse under the Piotrow Racing LLC banner. Dart Guy was a 1½ length winner over Its a Horse on Tuesday.

First of the mutuel bombers was Real Lucky N, who in his first start in almost four months circled up on the far turn and got by favored San Domino A in 1:53 to pay $73.60. The brothers Napolitano played large roles in this longshot’s winning: many-time PcD champion George Napolitano Jr. got his first $50+ score of the season after following the cover of the favored horse driven by Anthony – who leads all Pocono drivers with eight bomber victories this year.

The second upset was posted by the longest shot on the board, Prairie Nugget, who paced right to the lead while uncovered nearing the three-quarters and took a new mark of 1:56.4 for driver Simon Allard, with the tote board lighting up with a $63.80 mutuel.

Besides “George Nap,” multiple driving wins on the day were recorded by Allard, Anthony Napolitano, Jim Pantaleano, and Kevin Wallis. Both of Wallis’s winners are trained by Emily Bost, who had the only conditioning double.

Pocono will now take a week away from racing, during which time the track surface will be reworked. Racing resumes at the mountain oval on Saturday, September 20 – and there will be a carryover for players seeking to solve the Pick 5 wager that begins in race five.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From the PHHA / Pocono Downs