Wilkes-Barre, PA — Five $17,500 preliminary divisions of the Game Of Claims Series for $30,000 claimers headlined the Saturday (March 16) card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Dontpokethedragon, who came in off 10 straight victories in a skein spanning two countries and two years, couldn’t overcome the outermost post and had to settle for fourth as Islandspecialmajor, a son of Art Major, advanced on the grind to win in 1:51.2 for Matt Kakaley.

Islandspecialmajor posted an upset in Saturday’s Game Of Claims Series action at Pocono. Curtis Salonick photo.

The other winner in the first two series prelims, Flashy Dude, had to settle for second behind Peppermint Man (1:53.3) and driver George Napolitano Jr., who had three of his four Saturday victories in the Game Of Claims. Napolitano also drove the only series winner of the day to be claimed, Tam Major A, who rang up two wins and a second in his prelim action including a 1:52.3 tally; and he also handled Epic Ace, who won in 1:52.2. The other winner, Deal The Cards, equaled his mark of 1:52.4 in winning for the first time since Jan. 14, 2023, and was part of a collaborative triple between driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Per Engblom.

Rockin On Venus paced the fastest mile of the year to date at Pocono, winning a $14,500 conditioned pace in 1:51.1. Napolitano drove the 6-year-old son of Rockin Image for trainer Jeff Cullipher and owner Pollack Racing LLC.

Racing at Pocono resumes Monday (March 18), when a 1 p.m. card will be topped by a pair of six final-round prelims of the Game Of Claims, for horses carrying a tag of $20,000 ($10,000 purse) and $11,000 ($7500 purse). Free Pocono programs are available at www.phha.org.