Harry Knows breaks, 66-1 longshot upsets

After leading the field from the opening quarter mile, Irish champion Harry Knows IR and driver Lauren Tritton were comfortably in front of the harness racing field as the overwhelming 1/9 race favorite in the 7^th race $12,500 trot at Pocono Downs Sunday (March 26).

Then disaster struck on the final turn as Harry Knows IR, in front of the field by three lengths, went off-stride and Tritton had to take him inside the pylons and out of contention in the race.

That left a wide-open opportunity and driver Mark MacDonald made the most of it with his Italian import, SylvesteramericaIT (Varenne), the longest shot on the tote board, coming on to win in a romp by four lengths in 1:55.2 at odds of 66-1.

One After Nine (Jim Pantaleano) was first on the lead off the starting gate with Harry Know IR taking the two-hole spot momentarily, as Lauren Tritton sent Harry Know IR to the front at the opening quarter mile in :28.2.

Leading to the half mile in :57.2, Harry Knows IR held the field at bay by two lengths past the three-quarters in 1:25.1. Massive Opulence has come first-over but also went off-stride on the final turn as did Harry Know IR.

MacDonald had already moved off the pylons with SylvesteramericaIT and the 12-year-old gelding responded, trotting past One After Nine in the stretch and winning in a romp. One After Nine (15-1) was second with Chucky De Vie (Matt Kakaley) third at 14-1.

SYLVESTERAMERICAIT REPLAY

It was the first win in just two starts this season for SylvesteramericaIT, who is trained and co-owned by Robert Baggitt, Jr. and Christine Baggitt, both of Bangor, Maine.

Across the board, SylvesteramericaIT paid $135.40, $63.00 and $42.00 to those lucky bettor’s that wagered on the winner.

SylvesteramericaIT was bred in Italy by the late Hall of Famer, Lou Guida. SylvesteramericaIT was also the oldest competitor in the field.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink