Wilkes-Barre, PA — UFC champion Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira nearly won his official U.S. pari-mutuel driving debut on Tuesday (May 5) in race 13 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, finishing second by a nose in a thrilling stretch drive.
Oliveira and Kashed Up A were right up on the gate at the start, sent off as the 5-2 second choice from post 5. Oliveira drifted off the car as Mark Herschberger thrust He’s Special right to the front from post 7, with Oliveira dropping Kashed Up A down into a loose pocket in second.
The field reached the quarter in :27.4 and was in single-file formation out of the turn, but as they straightened out past the stands for the first time, 6-5 favorite Ill Play It Alone and James Kennedy moved first-up, dragging Ronaldo N (Anthony Napolitano) along with him second-over. They reached the half in a softer :57.4 while the favorite reached Oliveira’s wheels, forcing him to flush.
With Oliveira pulling the pocket up the backstretch, Kashed Up A had poked a head in front of the pacesetting He’s Special as they reached three-quarters in a quicker 1:25.2. Around the final turn, Ill Play It Alone was breathing down Oliveira’s neck, but “the champ” was urging his charge as three horses were side-by-side turning for home.
Down the lane, once again Oliveira had his horse on top for several strides before the finish as the troika continued to battle in front of the throngs of fans that lined the outside fence and were cheering robustly for their UFC idol.
At the wire, it was too close to call, but Ill Play It Alone was declared the winner by a nose over Oliveira and Kashed Up A in 1:54.2.
Driven by James Kennedy for owner/trainer Lou Peña, Ill Play It Alone, a 9-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, paid $4.40 to win. The 3-5 exacta with Oliveira in second paid a handsome $20.20 on a $2 ticket.
Oliveira took his time turning his horse after the race. By the time he did pass the stands, it was well after the other horses had gone back to the paddock. This delighted all of the people who had patiently waited for their chance to meet “Do Bronx” after the races, as the driver soaked in all the cheers as he walked his horse slowly back down the homestretch.
While over 100 fans showed up at Pocono to watch Oliveira’s debut, all with hopes of meeting the famed fighter, they were not disappointed. Once Oliveira had changed out of his driving colors, the champ graciously posed for photos and selfies on the apron while his entourage, including wife Victoria and 1-year-old son Dominic, waited patiently.
In fact, throughout the preparations for his race, Oliveira stopped whenever he was asked to pose with fans, horsepeople and his fellow drivers. For observers, it is truly hard to believe that he is such a fierce competitor in the octagon. In person, the man is soft-spoken and carries himself with a grace and humility that would seem to be the opposite of what one may expect from a champion fighter.
Oliveira will continue driving this week, as he will be participating in a team event at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Friday (May 8), and will conclude this Northeast harness track tour with a drive at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (May 10).
Before his race, local NBC affiliate WBRE was on hand to conduct a TV interview for the evening news, where Oliveira was asked about his love of harness racing and if he will continue.
“I love the sport and want to do this for the rest of my life,” Oliveira said through his interpreter. “When I retire from fighting, I want to race horses full time!”
The racing features were four $15,000 first-round divisions of the Game Of Claims Trotting Series for horses base-tagged at $20,000. The fastest winner was heavy favorite LMC Wagon Wheel, winning in 1:54.4 with identical halves for Jason Bartlett. One of the hazards of the series, however, is the possibility of being claimed, and LMC Wagon Wheel will be going for new connections in his next start.
Another division saw two horses claimed: the two who finished in a dead heat for first in 1:56.4. Favored Pisces Rising (Tyler Buter) and Roger Rabbit (Ridge Warren) were inseparable on the line, and both will now be living in new environs after their haltering. In all, five series trotters were exchanged for a gross of $105,000.
The other divisions were won by rank outsiders, both of whom will go back to familiar surroundings. Kountry Express (Simon Allard) made a last-to-first backstretch move to win in 1:56.3 and pay $50.20; while Songs In The Wind, the longest shot in his race, benefited from a cagey drive by meet leader Tyler Buter – tucking in, backing out to follow cover, and then rallying to a 1:55.3 victory while lighting up the tote board to the tune of $60. A race before that one, George Napolitano Jr. made every pole a winning one with Toby Ornot Toby at a $59.80 mutuel in an overnight.
Pocono’s next two cards, on Saturday (May 9) and Monday (May 11) at 1 p.m., will both feature Pennsylvania All-Stars action for 3-year-old pacers. Another C Note, undefeated in four starts this year and a winner in the first Sire Stakes leg at The Meadows, tops the colt and gelding ranks, while Miss Jum Jabber, who defeated 2025 division champion Loua Dipa last week at Harrah’s Philadelphia, heads the contending fillies. Free Pocono programs pages are or will be available at www.phha.org.