by Jim Beviglia, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Matt Kakaley earned his 3,000th career driving victory behind trotter Commander K on Wednesday night (July 16) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Matt Kakaley earned his 3,000th career driving victory behind trotter Commander K on Wednesday night.

Kakaley achieved the mark at age 26. Tim Tetrick was the youngest driver (at age 25) to reach the 3,000 win milestone.

Kakaley moved to 2,999 with a win aboard 25-1 shot McArdles Lightning in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action earlier in the night and then sealed the deal with Commander K, a fitting horse to do it with considering Matt’s surname.

Kakaley has been one of Pocono’s leading drivers for several seasons and is a past seasonal driving champ at the track.

Wakizashi Hanover sets track record in Sire Stakes win

Wakizashi Hanover picked up a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes victory in track-record fashion on Wednesday night.

There were four Sire Stakes divisions held for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the pace, with purses ranging from $59,566 to $59,966.

Curtis Salonick photos

Wakizashi Hanover picked up a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes victory in a track record of 1:51.

Wakizashi Hanover (Dragon Again-Western Gesture), made a late first-over move with Corey Callahan in the bike for trainer Jim King Jr. and scored in 1:51. That winning time broke the Pocono track record for 2-year-old geldings on the pace of 1:51.3, which was set by Dovuto Hanover in 2012.

Other Sire Stakes winners on the night were McArdles Lightning (McArdle-Winning Venture), who rallied at 25-1 with Matt Kakaley in the bike for trainer Steve Elliott to win in 1:51; Yankee Bounty (Yankee Cruiser-Bootleg Yankee), who made it three for-three to start his career with a victory in 1:51.3 with Corey Callahan aboard for trainer Kevin Lare; and Dragon Eddy (Dragon Again-Jeska Hanover), also three-for-three in his young career, as Mike Simons guided him for trainer John Butenschoen to a victory in 1:51.1.