Nob Hill Flash and Ithaca Hanover dominated their three initial races in the Game Of Claims Series, emerging victorious on Monday (18th March) afternoon at Pocono Downs in Mohegan, Pennsylvania. They competed with price tags of $27,027 and raced for purses worth $13,514.
In another segment of the multi-faceted GOC, Rock King Deo also achieved a perfect record with three wins in a $10,135 race for horses valued at $14,865. These particular matchups in the Game Of Claims series were exclusively for pacing horses.
Nob Hill Flash, a gelding sired by Nob Hill High, narrowly won his first two preliminary races by a nose. However, on Monday he left his competitors far behind, triumphing by eleven lengths. Driver Anthony Napolitano guided him to a lifetime best of 1:52.2 on a chilly day. Interestingly, Nob Hill Flash was claimed just before his $20,000 Championship race next Monday. He was the only winner among the six divisions at this level to be acquired by a new owner. On the other hand, Ithaca Hanover returned to familiar surroundings after securing his third consecutive victory in 1:55.1 under the handling of Jason Bartlett.
Apart from the aforementioned pair, no horse in this category managed to win more than one preliminary race. Finally Friday (ridden by Tyler Buter, 1:55.2) was among the quartet of horses that competed but failed to secure multiple victories. Surprisingly, Finally Friday had the highest odds and paid out $86.00 for a win, making it the biggest-priced winner of the young Pocono season so far.