WILKES-BARRE PA – Jonsie Jones continued holding the hot hand, as the flashy grey harness racing mare came north on the Pennsylvania Turnpike from Harrah's Philadelphia and made her local return a winning one, taking Tuesday's $15.500 distaff feature at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 1:50.2 for a new lifetime mark at age nine.
Jonsie Jones had risen from the bottom condition at Philly with three wins and three more board finishes until in her last start drawing post eight in a field that included Venus Delight, last year's national older mare champion. But she quickly returned to her solid ways in this gathering, going wire-to-wire from post four with fractions of 26.3, 55.1, and 1:22.3 in defeating second choice Aniston Seelster (8-5 to the winner's 9-10) by 1¼ lengths.
The daughter of Tulane is trained by Amber Buter, her second win of the night, for owners LRL Racing LLC. Jonsie Jones brought driver George Napolitano Jr. back to Victory Lane for the fourth time of the night at press time, but George may have had some of his thoughts elsewhere …
During the fifth race of the evening, Queen Of Denial, driven by Andrew McCarthy, was coming first-over near the ¾ when she suddenly tripped and fell. The resulting chain reaction, in this order, saw Girllookatthatbody (Eric Carlson) hook a wheel trying to duck outside around the trouble, Life Is A Beach (Anthony Napolitano) going into the pileup, and She's Heavenly (Pat Lachance) avoiding the brunt of mishap trying to avert wide, but like the other three she was a DNF.
Anthony Napolitano, who had had two winners in the first four races, and Carlson were taken to local hospitals; there was no updated report on their conditions at press time. If any further details are received, they will be passed along.
McCarthy, with a stiffening back, took himself off his drives for the rest of the evening; Lachance drove later in the card.
Update on Accident – Nothing appears to be serious at this time, and we are very thankful. Our thoughts are with the drivers, and wish them all a speedy recovery.
As of now, Anthony Napolitano is undergoing tests for the extent of his injuries and is extremely sore.
Eric Carlson is also on his way to the hospital for tests on his ankle, which is sore and tender.
Andrew McCarthy shaken up, and is on his way home to rest.
All 3 are off their drives for the remainder of Tuesday.
Pat LaChance is a bit shaken but fine.
All horses appear to have come back fine.
PHHA / Pocono