Huntsville rookies in Pocono spotlight

WILKES-BARRE PA – The two $11,700 featured paces for two-year-old harness racing colts and geldings on a hot Monday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono both resulted in photo finishes, with Haunted House and Stewardoftheland proving more photogenic than the betting favorites.

Hunted House, a gray son of Huntsville – Gray Ghost, set fractions of :27.4, :57.2, and 1:26 under the guidance of Mark MacDonald, at the last-named station bracing for the uncovered onslaught of Forrest Blu. The first-over horse did gain a short lead, but Hunted House showed courage to the wire, finishing with a head advantage while stopping the timer in a career best 1:53.4 in his purse bow. Trainer Ray Schnittker also is part-owner of the distinctive colt with David Pepin and Flintlock Farm Inc.

HUNTED HOUSE REPLAY

Huntsville completed a siring double in the features when Stewardoftheland (dam: Paltrow Blue Chip) was able to rally for a nose tally in 1:56, a new mark. Regents Hanover got somewhat pedestrian fractions of :28.2, :58.2, and 1:27.4 setting the pace, but the 17-1 winner used a sharp last sixteenth burst from the pocket to score the upset for driver Tom Jackson, trainer Lisa Martin, and owner David Koslowsky.

STEWARDOFTHELAND REPLAY

The usual complement of three $15,300 races for the improving “nw 8 races” group of horses will be the highlights of the Tuesday card at Pocono: one race for pacing males, one race for pacing females, and one race for trotters. Program pages for the 12:30 card are available at www.phha.org/downsmsppps.html.

For full race results, click here.

From PHHA / Pocono