from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono offered three races exclusively for 2-year-olds during its Thursday morning (May 28) program of qualifiers.

The first winner was the Shadow Play-Yahoos filly Miss Read, who rallied from the pocket with a :28.2 last quarter to defeat another late charger, Nip’s Beach Girl, for driver Howard Parker in a time of 2:01. Trainer Leigh Raymer may have a bargain on her hands here, as the filly cost her and Tyler Raymer only $5,500 despite the fact that the mare had produced three $100,000 winners and now has a promising freshman to her credit.

Team Raymer came right back with a Donato Hanover-Hey Mister colt, Mr Right, whom Tyler sent to the top after the quarter, then flashed home in :58.3 (:29) to complete a 2:01.3 victory for Leigh, who co-owns with Stephen Moss, Harold Solomon and Helene Solomon. Mr Right, aptly-named to date, was a $25,000 yearling purchase, and he is out of a dam who is a sister to the $600,000 winner Somebody To Love.

In the other race, driver Brewer Adams stole a 1:05.2 half with the American Ideal-Biggest Big Bertha colt Gaius Crastinus, then zipped him home in a pair of :29 panels to hold off first-over Kiss Baby Kiss, wrapping up the package in 2:03.2. Jennifer Sabot conditions the colt, out of a dam whose sister is well-known $1 million winner Feeling You, for owner/breeder Marilee Keene.