from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Driver George Napolitano Jr. and trainer Hunter Oakes combined twice on Monday night (April 30) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, taking the $14,000 featured mares claiming handicap pace with Strawb’s Chippie N and getting trotter Such An Angel repointed in the right direction with a 1:53.2 victory.

Strawb’s Chippie N had taken two straight on the front end prior to joining the Oakes barn via claim for this contest, and the change in scenery provided no alteration of form to an amazing extent. Last week the Stonebridge Regal mare posted fractions of :27, :56.1, and 1:24 in winning in a lifetime best 1:52.3; this week the timer read :27.2, :56.1, and 1:23.4 before stopping in 1:52.4.

Her stay in the Northfolk Racing Stable, however, was brief, for Strawb’s Chippie N was again claimed for the $24,000 tag including allowances, but a $7,000 profit minus training expenses in a week is never something to turn down.

At two Such An Angel won more than $145,000 while being one of the best New York Sire Stakes trotting colts; at three, the son of Credit Winner recorded but a single win, although it was right at Pocono and came in a lifetime best 1:52.3. Such An Angel had dropped all the way to the bottom conditioned level in Monday’s outing, his second for Oakes, and the 4-year-old ripped off an 11-1/4 length win in 1:53.2 for owner Sam Caruso Jr.

George Napolitano Jr., perennially the leading driver at Pocono, had four wins on the night.