by James Beviglia, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Despite sitting last around the first turn and trailing by over ten lengths on the backstretch, Sauce Two K rallied in the stretch to win the featured $22,000 Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday afternoon (May 13) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Driver Tim Tetrick chose to take back Sauce Two K, a 3-1 third choice, in the early going and the 4-year-old gelding sat last in the field of eight at the quarter. Sauce Two K, trained by Richard Johnson, stayed back for most of the backstretch before beginning his advance around the final turn.

He was still sixth at the three-quarter pole and had to go four-wide to get racing room at the top of the stretch as Muscles Marinara, the pacesetter and 5-2 favorite, began to tire.

With a clear path, Tetrick gunned Sauce Two K home to get up by a half-length to win in a career-best time of 1:54.4. Nicole’s Promise finished second and Grain Of Truth was third.

It was the fifth win of the year and ninth career win for the Canadian shipper, who has never been out of the money in 13 lifetime races. Owned by Fabulous Farms LLC, Sauce Two K pushed his career earnings over $87,000.