Driver Tyler Buter showcased his exceptional driving skills on a chilly race day at Pocono Downs in Mohegan, Pennsylvania.
The highlight of the day was when the long shot Smooth Landing, with odds of $59.20, triumphed in the $22,973 trot, securing one of Buter's six wins during the program on Saturday afternoon, February 24. The 38-year-old driver is on the brink of achieving 4,500 career victories.
Buter skillfully guided the winning horse, Smooth Landing, past the strong favourite Buddy Earl in the main event. Despite Buddy Earl's initial lead, Buter strategically moved to challenge and overtake the frontrunner at the three-quarter pole, urging Smooth Landing to a convincing victory in a final time of 1:58. Trainer Jennifer Bongiorno and owners Glenn Goller and Stephen Demeter celebrated the well-deserved win, with Enola finishing second and Buddy Earl trailing behind.
The race card also featured three $22,297 contests, including the high-class trot, where Buter emerged victorious once again with Rich And Miserable, a seasoned winner with 51 career victories. The Todd Buter-trained gelding, son of Explosive Matter, cruised to an easy win in 1:55, boosting his career earnings to $831,278 for Buter Farm Inc. and Lynette Buter.
In a surprising turn, Tyler Buter clinched another win with the 12-1 outsider Panettone Hanover in the top-level starter allowance pace event. Making a bold move wide off the cover of Francis Underwood, Buter guided the Captaintreacherous gelding to victory in 1:53.2. Panettone Hanover is co-owned by trainer Cote Keim, along with El Dorado Stables and Buzzy Sholty.
The fast-class pace saw Maximus Miki, an Always B Miki gelding, secure his second consecutive win at Pocono with a clever pocket journey. Navigating up the inside to accelerate into a :55.4 back half, Maximus Miki crossed the finish line in 1:53.3, guided by George Napolitano Jr. and trained by Tom Cancelliere, with ownership by John Cancelliere.