Pantaleano sweeps the Pocono trot features

WILKES-BARRE PA – A pair of $15,000 trots headed the Tuesday afternoon harness racing card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania after the races took a short break for the track’s Oktoberfest celebration. Driver Jim Pantaleano won both contests with second choices recording their second straight wins, but using decidedly-different tactics.

In a claiming handicap event, the Il Sogno Dream mare got away no better than sixth, and when Pantaleano moved her to the outside, she could find no cover. But the sharp distaff grinded away at the pacesetter, made the lead in the stretch, and then held off a big late kick by Jive Ninety Five by a head in 1:55.3. Kevin Reynolds Jr. trains the recent Tioga shipper, and he co-owns her with Kevin Reynolds.

I DA PRINCESS REPLAY

The other feature was for up-and-coming horses, and the Wheeling N Dealin sophomore gelding Pay The Price fits that description, as in his last two starts he has tripled his lifetime victory total, this time lowering his mark to 1:55.1. Pay The Price was sent directly to command, may have been aided when the race favorite broke early, but may not have needed the help, coming home in :57 – :28.1 while defeating pocketsitting Mischievous G by two lengths. Eric Irving conditions the developing youngster for Elite Harness Racing LLC.

Tyler Buter had three winners at Pocono Tuesday, two for trainer Ron Burke, the only trainers to have two winners. But there were plenty of doubling drivers right behind Buter: Braxten Boyd, Matt Kakaley, Marcus Miller, Anthony Napolitano, and Jim Pantaleano (as described).

Pocono will now resume its late summer-fall schedule of Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, with the races starting at 1 p.m. A well-matched fast-class field has been assembled for the $18,500 featured pace on Saturday; there also will be a carryover into the first race Superfecta.

Free Pocono programs are or will be available at www.phha.org.

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

From the PHHA / Pocono