Bang Bang Boinga pops at 43-1

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Eight of the first ten races at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Tuesday afternoon were won by harness racing favorites, including Red Power ($3.40) in the first of three $17,000 feature races.

The other features were in the next two races, and they went to Chuppah On ($34.80) and then Bang Bang Boinga ($88.20).

The Explosive Matter gelding Bang Bang Boinga raced third-inside most of the mile, but gained up into the pocket as the two-holer moved outside to challenge approaching the far bend. It was a cavalry charge to the finish, with all five check getters within three-quarters of a length of each other at the wire.

Bang Bang Boinga’s charge up the Pocono Pike allowed him to get home first a neck ahead of the sweeping favorite So Long Hanover (that one’s sixth second in his last seven starts) while equaling his lifetime mark of 1:56 for trainer/driver Joe Poliseno and owner Mary Ellen Sarama.

BANG BANG BOINGA REPLAY

The Art Major mare Chuppah On also sat third-in as the field approached the far turn, but in a scratch-reduced gathering that meant she was fifth and last. Chuppah On then put on a sharp last quarter of :27.2 to defeat pacesetter In Lou Of Money, also by a neck, for trainer Harry Landy and owner Sam Landy, while driver Tyler Buter recorded his fifth victory of the day.

CHUPPAH ON REPLAY

The Tellitlikeitis gelding Red Power, the only feature winner to reward the public’s faith in him, didn’t have it easy, having to go in :26.4 to make the lead, keeping out a sustained middle-half challenge from Diamond Head, then warding off potential pocket rocket Actor Hanover by a half-length while reducing his mark to 1:50.

Red Power has now won eight of eighteen seasonal starts, with George Napolitano Jr. handling the driving duties Tuesday for trainer Brian Malone and owner Peter Paul Venturini.

RED POWER REPLAY

For full race results, click here.

From the PHHA/The Downs