from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA —- Somebody AS, a daughter of Striking Sahbra, showed her fitness Sunday night (Sept. 25) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono by winning the $20,000 featured trot in 1:54.1.

George Napolitano Jr. left from post two with the Anette Lorentzon-trained mare, gave up the lead to Classicality just past the :27.1 quarter, retook immediately from that one and coasted to the half in :57, then put up a 1:25 time at the three-quarter pole before holding off the potential pocket rocket by a half-length on a cool night in the mountains. Tweet Me, who had to come first-over, finished third, a length behind Classicality.

Somebody AS, winning for the seventh time in 22 starts this year, has now assembled a very healthy lifetime bankroll of $558,163 for international owners ACL Stuteri AB and Kjell Johansson.

Earlier, Chuck Connor Jr. guided a horse back to Pocono’s Victory Lane for the first time in 11 years and nine days when he scored a maiden victory behind Claire, a filly with a pedigree (by millionaire Breeders Crown winner Chapter Seven out of millionaire Breeders Crown winner Housethatruthbuilt) that suggests many more good things to come.

Connor, who usually races at Pocono only a couple times a year, posted career victory 1,894 behind Claire, and marked his first visit to the local winner’s circle since he arrived there behind Bet On The Grey on Sept. 16, 2005.