Sloppy track no problem for Papi Hanover

WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Explosive Matter gelding Papi Hanover enjoyed a downturn in company on Tuesday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, taking the $12,500 featured fast-class harness racing trot in 1:56 over “sloppy” going.

Driver Ridge Warren sent the winner of $163,421 to the lead nearing the quarter while passing the original frontstepper Darty, controlled the pace, then could keep away the resurgent pocketsitter by three parts of a length.

Karen Fread trains the winner, and she is also co-owner with Randy and Michael Toth along with James Mims Jr.

PAPI HANOVER REPLAY

The Dontyouforgetit mare Lady’s Image is a very consistent trotter – she has now been 1-2 in 11 of 12 starts in 2022, she now has three victories in a row, and she now will be competing for her fourth straight different barn next time after winning the $12,000 claiming handicap trot in a lifetime best 1:54.4 and being claimed.

George Napolitano Jr. put the 1-5 favorite on the lead and left her foes well behind; though she had only a one week stay with trainer Chuck Crissman Jr. and owner Rodney Long, they made a $6000 profit on her minus expenses.

LADY’S IMAGE REPLAY

The Napolitano brothers, Anthony and George Jr., each visited Victory Lane three times during the Tuesday racing.

Racing resumes at Pocono on Saturday at 1:30, featuring probably the best card so far in 2022 at the mountain oval. The top event is the $50,000 Weiss Series Championship for sophomore pacing males, featuring the very promising Lanjo Lee and All Or Nothing; there are also a pair of $25,000 fast-class features, one on each gait. Program pages will be available here.

For complete results, click here.

From the PHHA/The Downs