Pocono feature goes to A Bettor Game

WILKES-BARRE, PA – A Bettor Game (Betterthancheddar) was able to back out behind first-over Who’s Smokin N as the latter took the lead late in the backstretch, then caught the new leader late in 1:51.4 to win the $17,000 pacing female harness racing feature Sunday (May 29) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

A Bettor Game had the lead at the :26.3 quarter, then ceded command to favored Odds On Whitney to sit the pocket to and past a :55.1 half. Who’s Smokin N rushed up from last in the six-horse field to take over nearing the 1:23.2 three-quarters; with no cover keeping with the brusher, driver Braxten Boyd was able to get a clear path for A Bettor Game to mount a stretch bid. The winner proved a neck better than her game adversary. Mike Watson conditions the winner for owner Patrick Gregory.

A BETTOR GAME REPLAY

The $14,500 distaff pacing co-feature for fast-class horses was won impressively by Dance Club, a daughter of A Rocknroll Dance who boogied to a 1:51.3 victory. Atypically on a night kind to neither favorites (2 for 13) nor pacesetters (3 of 13), Dance Club reached the lead nearing a :26.4 quarter, hit the half in :55.3, then had left the field for good by the 1:22.4 three-quarters, winning by 6¼ lengths for driver George Napolitano Jr. (whose three wins topped the night) and owner/trainer Gilbert Garcia-Herrera.

On Memorial Day Monday’s 1:30 card, the three-year-old pacing colts will be at the mountain oval for the second prelim of their Pennsylvania Sire Stakes competition, with all three winners in recent Pennsylvania All-Stars action here – Mad Max Hanover, Market Based and Night Hawk – trying to stay in sharp form as the major stakes season is on the horizon. Program pages are available here.    

For complete race results, click here.

From the PHHA/The Downs