The Downs Week in Review

HARNESS RACING PACER OF THE WEEK: GAMBLIN MO

This week saw the first installation of the Pennsylvania All-Stars races at Pocono in 2021, with four $30,000 divisions for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings held on Saturday. In one split, Always A Miki, a decorated pacer as a freshman making his 3-year-old debut, was made a 2-1 favorite from a rough #9 post. But Gamblin Mo, a three-year-old gelding trained by John Butenschoen, had other ideas.

Gamblin Mo, the 5-2 second choice from post #5, was coming off a win in his 2021 debut on April 27 at Pocono in a condition pace in 1:51:3. Stepping up in competition proved to be no problem for him. While Always A Miki struggled to eighth, Gamblin Mo, with Tyler Buter in the bike, overpowered the competition on the way to a victory in a career-best 1:50:1, which matched the fastest pacing time posted in the All-Stars races.

GAMBLIN MO REPLAY

Honorable Mention Pacers

Western Joe (Dexter Dunn, Christopher Choate), who captured a star-studded condition pace on Saturday afternoon at Pocono in 1:49:1, fastest time so far in the 2021 meet.

Gray Dragon (Mark MacDonald, John Butenschoen), who stepped up for his second straight condition win in the Tuesday feature at Pocono, getting it done in a career-best 1:49:2.

Move The Line (Anthony Napolitano, David Wisser), who followed his maiden win with another condition win on Tuesday at Pocono, this one coming in a career-best 1:52:4.

TROTTER OF THE WEEK: STOP RESISTIN

The defending trotter of the week at Pocono coming off three straight wins, Thisisshe was made the 3-5 betting favorite in the $20,000 to $25,000 claiming handicap trotting feature on Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, Stop Resistin, a five-year-old gelding trained by Steven Brabrook, was coming off a win of his own in 1:54:2 in the same class in his previous start. On Monday, Stop Resistin followed the cover of Thisisshe, who went first-over after pacesetting Inaperfectworld.

Thisisshe tired when she couldn’t take over the lead. Stop Resistin, with Marcus Miller in the bike, finally started to wear down Inaperfectworld just as Explosive Magic closed behind. When the dust cleared, it was Stop Resistin on top by a nose over Explosive Magic, trotting the mile in 1:56:1 for his second straight win.

STOP RESISTIN REPLAY

Honorable Mention Trotters

Lindy’s Bang (George Napoolitano Jr., Gilberto Garcia-Herrera), who returned to Pocono for the first time since a win in March to capture a claiming handicap on Monday in 1:55:2.

Bank Box Treasure (Jim Pantaleano, Gilberto Garcia-Herrera), who posted the fastest trotting time on Sunday night in the slot with a career-best 1:55:1 in a condition victory.

Papi Hanover (Fern Paquet Jr., Karen Fread), who sprung an upset in a condition trot on Tuesday afternoon in a career-best 1:54:3.

LONG SHOT OF THE WEEK: CHOCOLATE MATTERS

This trotting filly driven by Mark MacDonald led most of the way to score a condition win on Tuesday as a 34-1 long shot, paying off at $70.40 on a $2 win ticket.

DRIVER OF THE WEEK: DOUGLAS McNAIR

McNair is one of several top drivers at other tracks who have started racing more regularly at Pocono, and he made an impression on Monday with three wins on the card.

TRAINER OF THE WEEK: GILBERTO GARCIA-HERRERA

Garcia-Herrera has assumed the mantle as the leading trainer in wins in the 2021 meet at Pocono, and he strengthened that position this week with four training victories, including a three-bagger on Sunday.

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