Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs Week in Review

PACER OF THE WEEK: JOHNNY Q

This eight-year old harness racing gelding trained by Darren Taneyhill has done a lot of winning of late, all while raising his claiming price in the process. Coming into a $20,000 claimer on Saturday afternoon at Pocono, he had won back-to-back starts (one at Pocono, one at Harrah's) and four of his last five overall. On Saturday, Johnny Q had to deal with a #8 post in a field of nine, but still went off as the even-money betting favorite.

Driver George Napolitano Jr. found a spot for the favorite behind Whats Inthe Esky A, who was a first-over challenger for pacesetter Wise Image. When Whats Inthe Esky A took the lead, he was ripe for the late move by Johnny Q, who rolled on past in the stretch. With the win in 1:50:4, he now has captured three in a row and five of his last six.

Honorable Mention

Bellows Binge (Matt Kakaley, Clay Faurot Jr.), who moved up in class for the new barn to win his second in his last three claimers at Pocono, getting it done on Saturday in a career-best 1:50:1.

Ascaryone Hanover (Anthony Napolitano, Marta Piotrow), who rallied late for a win, his second straight, in a claimer on Monday afternoon, scoring in 1:54:1.

Autotune Hanover (Matt Kakaley, John Hallett), who moved to two-for-two at Pocono since arriving from Tioga following a claiming victory on Monday in 1:55:2.

TROTTER OF THE WEEK: THE LIONKING AS

This five-year-old gelding trained and driven by Kevin Wallis was on the move up in class on Sunday night. He was coming off a win in his previous effort, a conquest in an $8,800 condition trot at Pocono on September 21 in 1:55:1. Sunday night proved a tougher test in a $10,000 group, as The Lionking AS left from post position #6 in a field of eight as a 7-2 second choice.

Wallis was able to hustle The Lionking AS to the engine early, only for Hashtagmadeyalook to grab the lead from him. The gelding then waited for his opportunity in the pocket, which came when the stretch arrived and he moved into the passing lane. The Lionking AS rallied for the victory in 1:54:1 to give him two in a row.

Honorable Mention

Truemass Volo (Matt Kakaley, Wayne Short), who now has two straight victories on the Pocono oval after returning from Harrah's for a condition win on Saturday in 1:55:1.

Joey Pro (Matt Kakaley, John Hallett), who took a big jump on the condition ladder on Sunday night and still came up with his second straight victory at Pocono, this one in 1:55.

Fashionwoodchopper (George Napolitano Jr., John McDermott), who won his second straight condition race on Sunday night in less than a week at Pocono, delivering in 1:54.

LONG SHOT OF THE WEEK: SPANISH ART

With a flying rally late in the mile, this claiming pacer driven by Simon Allard overcame an outside post for a victory on Saturday afternoon at 94-1, paying off $191.40 on a $2 win ticket.

DRIVER OF THE WEEK: GEORGE NAPOLITANO JR.

The meet's leading driver keeps rolling right along, as he kicked off this week with a six-win afternoon on Saturday and produced at least three wins in all four racing days on the Pocono schedule.

TRAINER OF THE WEEK: BRIANNE GOOD

Good had a day for the books on Monday, scoring three training victories, including wins at long odds of 23-1 and 24-1 among her successes.

That will do it for this week at Pocono, but we'll see you at the track. Feel free to e-mail me at jbeviglia@mohegansunpocono.com.

by Jim Beviglia, for The Downs