Napolitano, Garcia-Herrera honored as Pocono ends 2021 season

Wilkes-Barre PA — Gilbert Garcia-Herrera won his first training title at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 2021, and was honored in ceremonies before Saturday’s final card of the local season. Also honored was evergreen leading driver George Napolitano Jr., as has become local custom.

Leading driver George Napolitano Jr. was honored at Pocono. Curtis Salonick photo.

Napolitano won his 300th race of the Pocono season on the final day, giving him his 15th local dash-winning title, and tenth in a row.

He finished the season with a .352 UDR, giving him his 13th crown in that category, including the last eight.

He also was the winningest trainer five times here.

Garcia-Herrera harnessed 91 winners during the campaign in taking his initial Pocono title.

Gilbert Garcia-Herrera is honored upon winning his first training title at Pocono. Curtis Salonick photo.

He has trained 3,610 winners in his career, and currently sits as the ninth-winningest trainer for all of North America in 2021.

In the closing day $21,500 featured pace, the American Ideal gelding Covered Bridge rushed out of fourth for Matt Kakaley late in the backstretch and kept on going, moving right to the lead and then winning by 2-1/2 lengths, with the mile in 1:50.2 on a cool day with the track rated “good.”

Ron Burke trains the winner of $390,870 for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Mortgage Boys Stable.

The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono will be announcing its 2022 schedule in short order.

Back to Top

Share via