from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Tuonoblu Rex, a son of Cantab Hall who recently came to the U.S. from Europe, is finding life on this side of the Atlantic very enjoyable.

Curtis Salonick photo

Tuonoblu Rex was a 1:53.1 winner on Sunday at Pocono.

The Italian-bred 5-year-old made the lead past the quarter in the $20,000 Sunday (May 7) trotting feature at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, then rolled right along en route to a 5-1/2 length win in 1:53.1, a clocking even more impressive considering a “sloppy” oval and the chilly 41 degree temperatures.

Team “Orange Crush,” driver Andy Miller and trainer/wife Julie, and owners Stable Why Not may have themselves a legitimate summer free-for-all competitor, as Tuonoblu Rex followed up his 1:52.1 stateside debut at The Meadowlands two weeks ago with this impressive victory, which raised his career bankroll to $209,918.

In the $18,000 pacing feature, Cruise Patrol, starting from post two for driver George Napolitano Jr., took the preferred pocket spot in an off-the-gate lineup, then sprinted home in :54.1 to catch pacesetting favorite Mr D’s Dragon by two lengths in 1:51. The son of Bettor’s Delight pushed his earnings to $141,056 for trainer Mike Dowdall and owner Colleen Dowdall.