Unveiling New Opportunities in Pocono on Tuesday

A quartet of races worth £20,270 each took place on Tuesday, March 19 at Pocono Downs in Mohegan, Pennsylvania. Despite it being the first day of spring, temperatures remained around 40 degrees.

On the pacing side, the Tennessee Smooth gelding, sired by Well Said, established himself as a horse to watch. He led the race and successfully fended off the challenge from the odds-on favourite, Hunters Hero, winning by half a length in a time of 1:54.3. Braxten Boyd was the driver for trainer Brandy Wine and the partnership of Brett Boyd Racing Inc. and Geoffrey Howles.

In the equivalent race for female pacers, the mare Miss Majesty, sired by Always B Miki, made her move after three-eighths of a mile and took the lead. She had plenty left in reserve and crossed the finish line in 1:55, bringing her seasonal record to 4 wins out of 5 starts. Matt Kakaley was the driver for trainer Nik Drennan, representing James Davino and Drennan Stable LLC.

Two trotting divisions were claimed by Kobe B, a gelding sired by Father Patrick. He secured victory by a margin of half a length over Lous Lancelot in a time of 1:57.4. Employing strategic engine tactics, driver Jim Pantaleano (the standout performer of the day with three wins), trainer Jill Roland, and owner Jose Cervantes were instrumental in his success. Additionally, Fashion Ken, a colt sired by Donato Hanover, narrowly triumphed over Bright Expectation in a time of 1:58. Driver Simon Allard, trainer Pierre Bovay, and owner Nicole Bovay Gurtner were responsible for his impressive performance.

When racing recommences at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Pocono, the highlight of the event will be the inaugural championship of the Game Of Claims Series. This prestigious race boasts a purse of $35,000  and is exclusively open to horses that initiated their campaign with a base tag of $25,000. Notably, six out of the eight participating horses will be transferred to different stables since their last preliminary start. Among the contenders, Tam Major A is expected to be the morning line favourite after securing two victories and a second-place finish during the preliminary rounds, which unfortunately failed to produce a winner over three consecutive races.