Seasonal record set in Pocono thriller

WILKES-BARRE PA – After one of the most exciting stretch battles of the harness racing season at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, Typhoon Banner N (Bettor’s Delight) emerged the winner in a three-horse photo, with his 1:48.4 new mark also the fastest mile of 2024 at Pocono.

Congressional took advantage of the rail and forced Pat McGarry N to finally retreat to the two-hole long after a :26.2 opener, then continued on to the half in :54.3. There was certainly no breather down the back, as favored Boiling Oar roared up uncovered to challenge and even gain a slight advantage to a 1:21.2 three-quarters.

One thing Boiling Oar did not have, though, was the rail, as Congressional refused to let him clear on past. Typhoon Banner N was perfectly-placed off the front battle as the second-over, tipped wide in the lane, and wore down the embattled leaders late for driver Ridge Warren, with Boiling Oar a head behind the winner and a head ahead of third-place Congressional.

Typhoon Banner N has now won two straight and four of his last six, with Joe Bongiorno doing the training for JB Racing, Philip Steinberg, and Barbara Bongiorno Stable LLC.

TYPHOON BANNER N REPLAY

Top purse events were a duo of $17,000 contests for developing trotters. The faster was won by Cristal Trio IT (Pitagora Bi), who popped out of the pocket near the three-quarters, took immediate command and drew clear while reducing her mark to 1:52.4 for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Travis Alexander, and Tar Heel Racing.

Deadline Hall (Muscle Mass) accounted for the other top trot, moving first-over and grinding down pacesetter AP Hall Of Trix in 1:54.3. This was one of three successful collaborations on the day for driver George Napolitano Jr., Pocono’s top trainer Jeff Cullipher, and the ownership of Pollack Racing LLC; “George Nap” would wind up with four victories on the day in total.

After Pocono’s Sunday night card at 6 p.m., two-year-olds will be seeing stakes action on Monday and Tuesday during the 1 p.m. programs, with four $30,000 divisions of Pennsylvania All-star races each day, for colt pacers on Monday and filly trotters on Tuesday. 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