Game of Claims Final to 7-1 longshot

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Classifiedmaterial (Bettor’s Delight), who had to win his final prelim in the Game Of Claims Pacing Series last week to make the Championship, added a second straight harness racing victory on Sunday afternoon (March 26) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, taking the $25,000 GOC Championship Final for $15,000 base-tagged horses in 1:53.1.

The meet’s leading driver, Matt Kakaley, kept the victorious gelding midfield as a crowded front-end produced spirited fractions of :27, :55, and 1:23. Classifiedmaterial was hustled to the three-wide path late in the backstretch and gained through the far turn, then bettered the Pocono Pike charge of pocketsitting Territory by a half-length.

CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL REPLAY

A 7-1 betting proposition, Classifiedmaterial had lost thirteen straight starts dating back to November 4, but with his two recent successes found his best strides at the right time. Herbert Lux III trains Classifiedmaterial for owners Bill Mullin and Howard Taylor. And he’ll have a chance to make it three straight for his connections in his next start, as there is no claiming in GOC Championship races.

In the $17,000 top trot of the day, Southwind Arturo (Muscle Hill) saved ground, then was niftily guided by Tyler Buter through a developing stretch hole and trotted strongly to win in 1:56.1. A four-year-old stallion, Southwind Arturo earned a new mark with the victory for trainer Deborah Daguet and owner Stephen Klunowski.

SOUTHWIND ARTURO REPLAY

The trotter Sylvesteramericait paid by far the biggest win price of the young Pocono season when he took advantage of breaking foes to storm home and pay $135.20 after a 1:55.2 victory.

Simon Allard took sulky honors on the day with four successful steers.

The Monday 1 p.m. card at the mountain oval will present the last of the Game Of Claims Championships to be featured in March, a $15,000 contest for horses who started their series base-priced at $7,500. Believeinthespirit, the only two-time winner in the preliminaries, drew the rail to aid his chances as he goes for the big money. Program pages for all Pocono races are or will be available by clicking here.

For complete race results, click here.

From the PHHA / Pocono Downs