Wilkes-Barre, PA – Two-year-old pacers Crunchstyle and Riverranch Miki impressed while capturing the $16,000 freshman features for males at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Tuesday (July 7) afternoon.
Crunchstyle, coming off a 1:53.4 baby qualifying victory at The Downs, was wide early in his contest, briefly spotted, then moved to the lead in front of the stands for driver Ridge Warren. He then showed a big motor in back fractions of :56 – :27.1 in winning by 4¼ lengths in 1:52.4. The son of Captain Crunch – Ideal Lifestyle A looks to have a bright future for trainer Juan Cano and owners Cano Racing Stable LLC and Ernie Davis LLC.
The finish was much tighter in the other headline freshman feature, with the Always B Miki – Talbot Chanel ridgling Riverranch Miki getting the decision by the smallest possible margin over Takes Courage in 1:55 for his first win. Driver Braxten Boyd brought “Riverranch” out of the pocket nearing the stretch, making Takes Courage go three-wide, and in a stretch slugfest came out slightly more photogenic while covering his last quarter in :28 for trainer Jenny Melander and owner Peter Paul Venturini.
The spotlight trot of the afternoon was a $15,500 contest for classclimbing youngsters, with Highball Hanover living up to his heavy favorite status by making two moves yet still being able to draw off by 3¾ lengths in 1:55.1. Anthony Napolitano handled the lines behind the Bar Hopping sophomore gelding for trainer Noel Daley and the partnership of Sjoblom Racing & M. Dolan, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing, Caviart Farms, and P C Wellwood Enterprises Inc.
“Anthony Nap” led the drivers with three winners Tuesday; his brother George “bookended” the card to leave his lifetime win total at 12,999. Also doubling on the sulky side were meet leader Tyler Buter and Ridge Warren; on the training side Noel Daley and Joe Pavia Jr. both sent out two winners.
Pocono’s next pari-mutuel racing will come on Saturday at 1 p.m., with three quality fast-class events lined up for action; there will also be a carryover into the last race High 5 wager. Free Pocono program pages are or will be available at www.phha.org.