from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre PA — The Somebeachsomewhere mare Skinny Dipper, who dead-heated for the win in her last outing, again put the photo finish camera to work at the end of the $17,500 distaff pacing feature Tuesday (July 3) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono and this time the picture showed Skinny Dipper an outright winner by a neck in 1:51.

Driver Eric Carlson had secured the lead with Skinny Dipper before the :27.1 quarter, then got a breather to the half in :56.1, with Juxta Cowgirl tucked in just behind the front-stepper. Positions remained unchanged at the 1:23.2 three-quarters (favored OK Heavenly couldn’t make enough of a dent first-over before fading) and in the stretch Carlson got his mare to finish out her last half in :54.4, holding off the charge of the potential pocket rocket Juxta Cowgirl in the close finish.

This was the third win in the last four starts for Skinny Dipper, despite her stepping up in class with every trip to the gate. She is trained by Ross Croghan for the Let It Ride Stable Inc. and she now has earned $263,344.