Fastest mile of the race meet at Pocono Downs

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Mid-card rain during the Saturday afternoon (June 29) harness racing program at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania caused most of the featured races to be conducted over a track rated “sloppy,” but Maximus Miki (Always B Miki) overcame both the weather and a tough field to win the $25,000 Open pace in 1:49 – fastest time of 2024 at Pocono.

After contested early fractions of :26.1 and :54.1, George Napolitano Jr. sent Maximus Miki up to challenge leader Big Skewy N, and the two hit the three-quarters in 1:21.2.

Their battle continued all the way to deep stretch, where Maximus Miki finally gained the definitive advantage. Big Skewy N held well and crossed the wire second, but he was placed fifth for drifting down into the passing lane and blocking stretch foes.

Maximus Miki now sports a 2024 record of 14-7-4-3, and he has bankrolled $125,295 just this year. He races for Team Cancelliere – trainer Tom and owner John.

MAXIMUS MIKI REPLAY

The rain started in the race before the first of two $17,000 high-level trots, with the track rated “good” for that event. It went to Father Stosh, a son of Father Patrick who had to go on the first-over grind, yet still won easily in an impressive 1:54 mile. Jason Bartlett, who was joined by Tyler Buter and Anthony Napolitano in steering three winners back to Victory Lane, guided the victorious Jill Roland trainee for owner Bernard O’Brien.

FATHER STOSH REPLAY

The other $17,000 trot saw Cant Help Myself (Helpisontheway) refuse to yield from the rail, staying strong to the finish while matching his mark of 1:53.3. Jason Bartlett completed a sweep of this class while handling the duties behind the winner of three straight for trainer/owner Don Niccum.

CANT HELP MYSELF REPLAY

A $16,500 fast-class event for trotters saw another horse shrug a first-over journey – the Cassis gelding On Higher Ground, who went on to be safe at the end of a 1:53 mile. On Higher Ground, a winner of $587,004, was driven by Joe Bongiorno for trainer/sister Jenn Bongiorno, also his partner in the JB Racing ownership.

The muck didn’t bother the Tall Dark Stranger – Economy Terror two-year-old pacing colt Inflation Proof at all, as he took his pari-mutuel debut in a strong 1:53. Jason Bartlett laid just off of multiple lead changes, swung the freshman wide on the final turn, and came on for the victory for trainer Hunter Oakes and owners Howard Taylor and Chuck Pompey.

Two-year-olds see their first local stakes action of the season on Sunday’s 6 p.m. card, as there will be three $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for freshman trotting males. Free Pocono programs are available at www.phha.org.

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

From the PHHA / Pocono Downs