from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Three $14,000 handicap events for upper-level claimers took the spotlight on Monday (June 5) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

In the trot headliner, What A Peach showed she was “consistent.” After being claimed by trainer Jason Robinson and owner Robert Main on April 24, her lines showed break/high finish/break/high finish/break. This was her week to do well, and she did so by wiring the field, holding off first-over Northern Obsession by a length in 1:55. Anthony Napolitano, Pocono’s “longshot king” as of late, showed he could get the job done with a 2-1 shot as well here.

The other two events were for pacing mares. The first went to Timmylynn, guided by Simon Allard to a first quarter of :26.4, then yielding and enjoying the golden chair as Gracie’s Parade streaked on the front end to middle splits of :54.1 and 1:21.3. Timmylynn came out on the final turn, giving cover to Dag Inmy Stockings, and then in the last 100 feet those two engaged in the showdown for the big money, with Timmylynn a head to the good in a new mark of 1:51.1. Rene Allard trains the victorious daughter of Ponder for Allard Racing Inc. — or we really should say “trained,” as the winner was claimed.

The other event for pacing distaffs had a similar story. Allard/Allard/Allard Racing Inc. reported home first, here with Victoria May N, the daughter of Holmes Hanover breaking the beam in 1:51.4. This time Simon Allard laid off the :26.2 first quarter speed, brushed his mare to the front as the field went by the grandstand, put up midrace fractions of :55.1 and 1:23.1, then had enough of a margin to hold off the late charge of favored Bianca Midnight by a length.

Driver Simon Allard ended up with six winners Monday, while trainer/brother Rene had four.