Wilkes-Barre, PA — Trainer Ron Burke, who won three of four $30,000 Pennsylvania All-Stars contests for 2-year-old pacing fillies Saturday night (July 13) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, came back to add two more when four divisions of All-Star freshman male pacers went postward Sunday (July 14).

Tying for Sunday’s fastest All-Star performer was the Somebeachsomewhere–Michelle’s Jackpot colt Mac’s Big Boy, who was the first horse to show off the gate, but tucked and fell back as far as fifth down the backstretch, got room deep in the Pocono Pike and squeezed through under Matt Kakaley’s guidance to win for the first time in a purse race in 1:53. Lyons Music, who was to the winner’s right in the Pike, ducking inside the pacesetter, was outdashed by three-quarters of a length to the wire, with closer Tell Them Lou another neck back in third.

Mac’s Big Boy, who had won a Gaitway qualifier in 1:55.3, is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Wingfield Five.

Catch The Fire posted his fastest time ever for trainer John Ackley and the CT Stables. Curtis Salonick photo.

Also recording a 1:53 victory was the Captaintreacherous–Dream Outloud colt Catch The Fire, who made two speed moves to control the pace for driver Mike Wilder, then sprinted home in :27 for a two length victory over Patriot Nation. A winner of two qualifiers and his purse debut before finishing second in a PA Sire Stake in his last start, Catch The Fire posted his fastest time ever for trainer John Ackley and the CT Stables.

There wasn’t much ability difference showing among the four All-Star winners, as the other two stepped home first in 1:53.1. The other Burke Brigade winner was Cattlewash, who sat in the pocket behind Team Best, who like the winner had two qualifying wins and then a fast victory in his purse bow. This time it was the Somebeachsomewhere–Road Bet colt Cattlewash who had the most kick late, gaining into a :27 last quarter to put away his game foe by a half-length.

Cattlewash, who had won the fastest Sir Stake opener in 1:52.1 and was the first Burke favorite in his quintet of weekend winners, is owned by Bill Donovan.

The other 1:53.1 winner was the Captaintreacherous–Lets Groove Tonite colt Captain Groovy, who ironically won his purse debut in a Stallion Series race with a time of 1:52, faster than any Sire Stake division. Here Captain Groovy took control of the situation early and really was not threatened in winning by two lengths over Caliber for driver Mark MacDonald and trainer Ray Schnittker, the latter co-owner with Ted Gewertz, Howard Taylor, and Mary Kinsey Arnold.

The $21,500 fast-class trot saw the Credit Winner gelding Such An Angel take a new mark of 1:51.3, which also equaled the fastest local trotting effort of the year as well as the divisional season’s record, posted twice by Rich And Miserable. Such An Angel didn’t look back in this contest, stepping home in :27.3 to leave behind a talented field while raising his earnings to $327,568 for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Hunter Oakes, and owner Sam Caruso Jr.