from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — The ladies had their turn in the spotlight on a warm Monday evening (June 12) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with Little Joke picking up her second straight win in the $14,000 distaff claiming handicap pace and Driving Miss Crazy paying immediate dividends on a claim by leading a blanket finish in the $14,000 claiming handicap trot.

Little Joke, a winner a level below Monday’s in a lifetime best 1:51.4 seven days ago, did even better this week, laying not far off a fast pace (:54.1 to the half), showing a big kick on the far turn, and then drawing off to a two length victory while lowering her newly-minted speed mark to 1:51.1. Scott Zeron winning for the third time on the card, was behind the Bettor’s Delight mare, trained by Buzzy Sholty for owner Vincent Laurenzo.

Driving Miss Crazy, a Crazed mare haltered by owner Margaret Olmstead and trainer Robert Lounsbury last week, overcame post nine in making her first start for her new connections a winning one under the guidance of Matt Kakaley. Driving Miss Crazy made the most of a pocket journey to defeat late-closing Joe Tucky by a neck in 1:56.1, with the first six finishers within a half-length of the winner at the wire (including the pair who dead-heated for fifth).