Eight straight for Jiggy Jog S

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Jiggy Jog S (Walner-Hot Mess Hanover) extended her win streak to eight races by capturing the $100,000 Sebastian K Invitational Trot and Ruthless Hanover (Somebeachsomewhere-Rockaroundthetrack) got back in the victory column by winning the card-closing $100,000 Always B Miki Invitational Pace on Sun Stakes Saturday at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Pocono Downs.

The Sebastian K Invitational is named after the horse who went a 1:49 mile over Pocono’s five-eighths-mile track — a clocking not beaten on an “f” oval in the 10 years since. And this year’s race was taken by another pupil of trainer Ake Svanstedt, the great mare Jiggy Jog S, who overcame several problem situations to win by a head over Lexus Kody in 1:52.1.

Hillexotic was yielding to Black Magic mid-first turn when making a break; this led to Lexus Kody, who was parked, to go on to the lead in :26.4. Jiggy Jog S tucked in third, then had to be alert to avoid the breaking Black Magic in front of the stands and moved up to the pocket. Lexus Kody got a breather to the :56.2 half, then picked the tempo up a bit to a 1:24.4 three-quarters clocking as Periculum made a good first-over move, with Jiggy Jog S awaiting clearance from the two-hole.

Jiggy Jog S, the 1-9 favorite, came home in :27.1 as she gradually went on to victory, with Lexus Kody missing just a head and Periculum only three-quarters of a length back.

JIGGY JOG S REPLAY

Dexter Dunn, winning his fourth straight race on the card, noted that “the mare handled herself professionally” amidst the early confusion.

“She’s responded to everything well,” he said. “We wound up in the pocket, a good trip, and it took a stride or two for her to find her top gear, but she showed her ability and went by.”

Jiggy Jog S is now undefeated in four seasonal starts for earnings of $309,188. Lifetime, the mare has won 22 times in 39 outings, accumulating a bankroll of $2.47 million. She is owned by Ake Svanstedt Inc., Steve Stewart, John Lengacher, and Hickory Hollow Stables. She was bred by Vestmarka AB.

In the Always B Miki Invitational, three horses — Hellabalou, Coaches Corner, and Ruthless Hanover — engaged in a three-wide battle for the lead that endured for more than three-eighths of a mile before Ruthless Hanover and driver George Napolitano Jr. landed on top in a :53.2 half.

From there, Ruthless Hanover remained on top, reaching three-quarters in 1:20.2 and the finish in 1:48. He won by two lengths over Voukefalas, with Coaches Corner finishing third.

RUTHLESS HANOVER REPLAY

Ruthless Hanover is trained by Tom Cancelliere and owned by John Cancelliere. The 7-year-old has won three of six races this season and 25 of 60 lifetime, banking $719,744. He was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

Wagering on the Sun Stakes Saturday card exceeded $1 million, at $1,007,875.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From the PHHA/Pocono, and Ken Weingartner, for the USTA