from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — George Napolitano Jr., the leading driver at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, combined with Carmen Auciello, the leading trainer at Woodbine Mohawk Park who also campaigns a string at Pocono, to account for the Tuesday night (Oct. 23) $17,500 distaff pacing feature with Kay’s Delight in a lifetime best 1:52.2.

Gigi From Fiji went down the road with fractions of :27.1, :56, and 1:24.2, with favored Lady Shadow, the $2 million-plus-winning mare, in the pocket. Napolitano had to come first-over with the daughter of Bettor’s Delight, but Kay’s Delight proved equal to the demanding task, stepping her own last half in :55.3 to win by three-quarters of a length over Lady Shadow, with second-over Attention Hanover third, ahead of Gigi From Fiji.

Kay’s Delight has now been first or second in her last four starts for well-known owner Bob Burgess, and she has lifetime earnings of $137,122.

George Napolitano Jr. continued his recent hot streak with three Tuesday winners, but Matt Kakaley was the biggest winner on the night, visiting Victory Lane five times, including three times with Ron Burke trainees, which paid (surprisingly) $9.60, $30.60, and $18.20.

Driver Mike Simons had 3,999 career victories when last seen in Pennsylvania this past Thursday; he split his stable between Pocono and reopened Pompano Park, where he got career victory 4,000 on Sunday and three more during a hot Sunday-Monday stay of 13-4-4-0-.470. Returning to cooler climes at Pocono on Tuesday, Simons, known as “The Trot Man,” posted win 4,004 with the developing D’Dream, who won in 1:56 for trainer Neal Ehrhart for the trotter’s sixth win in her last seven starts, and in the last race got 4,005 with another Ehrhart trotter, Jackie’s Jim.