Trotters own the spotlight at Pocono Downs

WILKES-BARRE, PA – The three-year-old Bar Hopping gelding Attis Rock overcame the tough tuck-then-first-over journey to win the $15,000 featured harness racing trot in 1:54.4 on Monday afternoon (May 20) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Braxten Boyd kept the sophomore in third as EL Mission Goddess went on a first-end mission with early fractions of :28.2 and :57.3. Attis Rock moved to the outside before the 1:25.4 three-quarters, then showed gameness to defeat pocketsitter King Tut Hanover by a small nose, with EL Mission Goddess only a half-length back in third. The winner posted a lifetime best for his 93-years-young trainer/owner Don Wiest.

ATTIS ROCK REPLAY

On a sunny afternoon with temperatures near 80, the Pocono oval produced a speed show on a trotter-laden card. The diagonally gaited horses produced no fewer than six miles in 1:55 or faster, and across a variety of classes. Besides the feature, a third-level conditioned trot went in 1:53.1 (Rich And Miserable) and a second-level contest went in 1:53.2 (Joey); even the bottom-level conditioned trot went in 1:55.2. A mid-level claiming contest saw Big Sky Ex victorious in 1:55.

RICH AND MISERABLE REPLAY

And in four “nw 1 race or $10,000” trots, all the winners recorded lifetime bests: Naked Cowboy in 1:54.4, Du Maurier in 1:55, and 1:55.3 winners St Pauli Girl and Drawing Rights. The pacers did get their chance to shine as well, as a third-level conditioned event went Rifleman, who took a mark of 1:50.

Racing closes out the week at Pocono with a 1 p.m. card Tuesday; the horses then will be back in action on Saturday, also at 1 p.m. Free Pocono programs will be available at www.phha,org.

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

From the PHHA / Pocono Downs