from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — LK’s Nancy Lee, second to Unbeamlieveable the last two weeks in the high-level distaff claiming handicap pacing ranks at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, got to the lead despite the outside post nine and turned the tables on her tormentor, defeating Unbeamlieveable by a neck in the $14,000 Monday feature.

LK’s Nancy Lee, making her debut for trainer Hunter Oakes and the Northfork Racing Stable after a $24,000 claim last week, immediately started producing returns by going to the top for driver Anthony Napolitano after a :26.3 opening quarter, getting moderate middle splits, then holding gamely against the late charge of Unbeamlieveable in 1:53.3. The daughter of Yankee Skyscaper ran her career earnings to $198,826.

The first pari-mutuel race for 2-year-olds at Pocono this year was held for filly trotters and Scirocco Downahill went wire-to-wire despite the outside post eight for driver Corey Callahan and trainer John Butenschoen in 2:00.4, last quarter :29.2. A former season’s leader, the daughter of Muscle Hill and UF Tadys Donato, a half-sister to the $1 million winner Hez Striking, shows much promise for owners Kathleen and Lewis Whitaker Jr.

Pocono had two $50-plus bombers strike Sunday night, and there was another big upset on the Monday card, as “The Trot Man,” driver Mike Simons, rallied Aquilio from second-over to a nose victory at $77.20 for trainer Bill Popfinger.