Wilkes-Barre, PA — A pair of $15,000 trots headed the Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 17) card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania after the races took a short break for the track’s Oktoberfest celebration. Driver Jim Pantaleano won both co-features with second choices recording their second straight wins, but using decidedly different tactics.
In a claiming handicap event, the Il Sogno Dream mare I Da Princess got away no better than sixth, and when Pantaleano moved her to the outside, she could find no cover. But the sharp distaff ground away at the pacesetter, made the lead in the stretch, and then held off a big late kick by Jive Ninety Five by a head in 1:55.3. Kevin Reynolds Jr. trains the recent Tioga shipper, and he co-owns her with Kevin Reynolds.
The other feature was for up-and-coming horses, and the sophomore Wheeling N Dealin gelding Pay The Price fits that description as in his last two starts he has tripled his lifetime victory total, this time lowering his mark to 1:55.1. Pay The Price was sent directly to command, may have been aided when the favorite broke early, and came home in :28.1 while defeating pocket-sitting Mischievous G by two lengths. Eric Irving conditions the developing youngster for Elite Harness Racing LLC.
Tyler Buter had three winners at Pocono Tuesday, two for trainer Ron Burke. Pantaleano was joined by Braxten Boyd, Matt Kakaley, Marcus Miller and Anthony Napolitano with driving doubles.
Pocono will now resume its late summer-fall schedule of Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, with the races starting at 1 p.m. each day. A well-matched fast-class field has been assembled for the $18,500 featured pace on Saturday (Sept. 21); there also will be a $655.68 carryover into the superfecta in the first race. Free Pocono programs are or will be available at www.phha.org.