Wilkes-Barre, PA — Lady Rocknrolla A was tighter in her second start at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, winning an $11,200 distaff pacing feature in 1:54.2 on the Sunday (May 9) twilight card.

Lady Rocknrolla A carried her speed from pillar to post over an off track for a 1:54.2 victory at Pocono on Sunday. Curtis Salonick photo.

James MacDonald, 2017 World Driving Champion, was intent on setting the pace in this event with the A Rocknroll Dance mare forcing second choice Royaltywestho into the pocket by the :27.2 quarter before rating a :57.3 half-mile breather. Lady Rocknrolla A was faced by a challenge from Topville Angelina approaching the 1:25.4 three-quarters, but she dug in gamely to defeat that challenger for trainer Carmen Auciello and owner Stephen Klunowski.

A $11,200 contest for trotters saw Nextroundsonme and driver Tyler Buter cover excess ground yet still emerge victorious in 1:56.1. Four-wide to the eighth before tucking, the Cantab Hall gelding then moved second-over and was forced three-wide around the far bend, yet still summoned enough to hold off the inside move of Consus Victory, winning for trainer Jenny Melander and owner José Cervantes.

The meet’s leading trainer, Gilbert Garcia-Herrera, sent out three winning horses. Buter and the meet’s leading driver, George Napolitano Jr., also each recorded a three-bagger.

The top claiming trotters at the track will be featured in a pair of $12,800 contests on the Monday (May 10) card at Pocono, with Thisisshe looking for her fourth consecutive win. Monday’s action begins at 12:30 p.m.; program pages will be available at the PHHA website.