by PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — The track’s leading driver, George Napolitano Jr., was honored in the Pocono winner’s circle early in the evening on Saturday (June 16) for earning career driving victory 9,000 on Monday night, making him only the 21st North American member of that exclusive club. Then George Napolitano went out and showed he was in a hurry to get to 10,000 on Saturday scoring eight times on the card.

Curtis Salonick photo

George Napolitano Jr. was honored for his 9,000th driving win on Saturday, which was collected on Monday evening.

His victories included the $18,000 claiming handicap pacing feature with the red-hot Major Trick, a gelded son of Art Major who made two speed moves in searing early fractions of :26.2 and :53.4, opened a big lead to the 1:21.4 to the three-quarter pole, then stayed clear by 1-3/4 lengths to the wire in 1:50.1.

The winner of $339,088, a five-time winner in his last six starts, is trained by Hunter Oakes for owner Omar Beiler. Napolitano also won the fastest mile of the night, which was a 1:48.4 triumph with the world champion Scott Rocks.