Wilkes-Barre, PA – A mere head away from being unbeaten in nine starts since coming Stateside earlier this year, the Johny Rock mare Raspalia N continues to give evidence that she could be a factor at the very top level with a 1:51.1 victory in the $17,500 featured distaff pace Monday (May 4) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
Tyler Buter got a two-hole trip with Raspalia N as Sammy Jo Hanover set sail and cut fractions of :27, :55.4, and 1:23.1. The Kiwi import moved out on the far turn, overhauled the pacesetter, then withstood the railskimming Please Be You by three quarters of a length for trainer Agostino Abbatiello and Durazzano Stable LLC.
The one second-place finish should not be held against Raspalia N, as her conqueror that day was Worklifebalance, a New Jersey Sire Stakes and New Jersey Classic winner last year. and she had to make two moves from an outer post and was just photoed in 1:50 flat. She seems to have the speed and temperament to be competitive against the top-drawer distaffs, and the winning streak should boost her confidence – and she still has another start in this class under the AE earnings condition.
A race earlier, trotters had their turn in the spotlight with a $15,500 contest for up-and-comers, taken by Melissa P, who made two moves to control the pace and take a new mark of 1:55.3. Anthony Napolitano was in the sulky behind the Swan In A Million mare for trainer Vinny Ginsburg and owner Jaypaul Hoover.
Tyler Buter widened his lead at the top of the local driver standings, increasing his chances of being a seasonal repeat winner at The Downs by visiting Victory Lane five times on Monday. Doubles on the card were recorded by drivers Braxten Boyd and Anthony Napolitano along with trainer Jean Drolet.
Tuesday’s (May 5) 1 p.m. card at Pocono has excitement on two fronts, one being the return of the Game Of Claims Series, as trotters base-priced at $20,000 in this first prelim will go for $15,000 in each of four divisions.
Two drivers both making their first career betting starts in the same race, starting side-by-side, normally wouldn’t garner big attention. But one of them is UFC lightweight superstar Charles Oliveira, a big fan of harness racing, right down to the elaborate tattoo on his arm, who beat Tim Tetrick in an exhibition race at Yonkers. The other is a fellow Brazilian, Josias Santos, who won a qualifying race last week at Pocono. O jogo bonito (“the beautiful game” in Portuguese, the language of Brazil) will turn from football/soccer to harness racing in race thirteen at Pocono tomorrow; take a look at the free program pages for Pocono at www.phha.org.