from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA —– After checking the updated season’s leaders list for five-eighths-mile tracks, it can be noted that the fastest 2-year-old on the trot and the co-fastest 2-year-old on the pace both were victorious during qualifying races at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Wednesday morning (June 20).

The fastest trotter among the 2-year-olds is a miss named Check Out Trixie, and your surprise at her being able to precociously trot in 1:57.4, last half :57.2, will go away when we point out that she is a mating of Hambletonian winner Trixton and Check Me Out, the multiple-record setting champion. Trainer/driver Ray Schnittker moved her to the lead in front of the stands and there was little doubt from there, as Check Out Trixie also bettered the 1:58.1 put in by colt Fashion Possessed at Harrah’s Philadelphia Tuesday.

Tying for top honors among all freshman pacers was Lyons Night Hawk, a son of Sweet Lou and Weapons Against (she a half-sister to $2.4 million winner and top sire A Rocknroll Dance). Lyons Night Hawk rallied from the pocket in a :27.4 kicker to complete a 1:53.4 package, matching the clocking registered by filly Rose Run Uptowngal in a pari-mutuel race at The Meadows Tuesday. Jason Bartlett guided the winner for trainer Gareth Dowse.

Captain Malicious, a son of Captaintreacherous and Silky (dam of three $350,000 winners) who previously had a share of his divisional standard of 1:54.4, lowered his mark by two ticks Wednesday. Trainer/driver Ray Schnittker has another top 2-year-old here, one who finished his mile in :56.2–:27 while overcoming the outermost starting slot.

Quickest trotting colt of the session was Our White Knight, whose parents’ names might suggest some confusion (Crazed-Psychotherapist), but who knew how to make every pole a winning one for driver Corey Callahan and trainer John Butenschoen, winning in 2:00.2 with back numbers of :58.3–:29.1. The winner is a full brother to $600,000 winner Theraputic.

With freshmen appearing on overnights and on the PA county fair scene, this will be the last of the morning reports on freshman action at the mountain oval. Now they’ll have to earn their plaudits competing for purse money.