by PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Crafty Master, a son of Mister Big shipping to The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono from Canada’s capital city track, Rideau Carleton, couldn’t have been more impressive in his “return” to the Downs, winning Saturday night’s (March 25) top purse event, an $18,000 claiming handicap pace, in 1:52 to complete a consecutive triple for Team Allard, driver Simon and trainer Rene.

Curtis Salonick photo

Overcoming post eight, Crafty Master spotted fourth early, then was rushed to the front just before the half-mile in :55.3. From there “Crafty” was the master of this domain, pulling away to win by 2-3/4 lengths.

Overcoming post eight, Crafty Master spotted fourth early, then was rushed to the front just before the half-mile in :55.3. From there “Crafty” was the master of this domain, pulling away to win by 2-3/4 lengths for Allard Racing Inc., VIP Internet Stable LLC, and Lynn Denesha.

It’s a bit ironic that the 6-year-old Crafty Master only had one career stateside purse start before this triumph, and that race was at Pocono – a 2013 elimination of the Breeders Crown 2-year-old colt and gelding pace, where Crafty Master, coming off a second in the Ontario Super final, went off as the second choice. He ruined his chances, however, with an early break. His lifetime U.S. win rate jumped to 50 percent with Saturday’s triumph.

There was a pair of $15,500 co-featured conditioned events, with the pace going to the hot City Hall, a Metropolitan gelding who now sports a 4-3-1-0 recent record after a 1:52.1 victory. George Napolitano Jr. got the winner, who started outside all his rivals in post eight, safely around late first turn trouble by going three-wide, brushed to the top in front of the stands, then held his advantage to the finish for trainer Amber Buter and the partnership of Gene Oldford Farms LLC and Tyler Buter.

On the trotting side, the millionaire DW’S NY Yank was glad to escape the likes of bearcats Melady’s Monet and Opulent Yankee, winning in 1:53.3 ,although being yet another disadvantaged with the outermost post eight. Driver Eric Goodell made two speed moves with the Dilbert Hanover gelding, then held off pocketsitting Skates N Plates in for his first win of the year for trainer Ron Burke and owners who turn up in more than a few programs as Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, and Howard Taylor.

Melady’s Monet, who was mentioned above, may be the hottest trotter going right now, and he heads the Pocono Sunday night (March 26) feature, a $20,000 handicap slotted for race 10.

Brett Miller, currently the leading driver at The Meadowlands, but no stranger to area punters, will come over to drive “Monet,” undefeated in two starts this year for trainer Kevin McDermott, from post seven.