Bartlett dominates qualifiers

WILKES-BARRE PA – Jason Bartlett, North America’s leading driver in terms of both victories and earnings, won four of the five qualifiers held at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Wednesday morning.

The American Ideal sophomore pacing gelding Dandy Ideal won his last four starts of 2024, including the Matron Stake, then won two qualifiers in preparation for his 2025 debut in an NYSS at Saratoga, where he made a break. But the three-year-old showed that his ship was quickly righted by winning in 1:50.3 – :54.1 – :26.1 on the engine for Bartlett, trainer Hunter Oakes, and Flying A Racing Stable, Thaddeus Wier, and Alan Johnston.

The Googoo Gaagaa three-year-old trotting filly R Cee Cee, a full sister to millionaire Captain Corey, may not last as a maiden very far into her 2025 campaign based on a 1:57.1 victory in which she stepped her last panel in :28.3 for Bartlett, trainer John Butenschoen, and lessees M&L Delaware / Armitage Farm.

Captain Moore A made his first stateside appearance a memorable one, the pacer posting a 1:53.2 – :55.1 – :27 engine tally for Bartlett and trainer Scott Blackler; the pilot also won with seasoned trotter Frank The Elder in 1:54.3 for trainer Deborah Daguet.

Pocono’s leading driver and trainer, Tyler Buter and Ron Burke, were the forces behind the other winner in the morning session, the trotter Gone Goodbye, who reported home first in 1:58.2.

The Pocono qualifiers can be watched at www.phha.org.

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

From the PHHA / Pocono Downs