PACER OF THE WEEK: ATTA BOY DAN
The 2019 Pacer of the Year at Pocono has begun to find his stride once again at his favorite track for trainer Pete Pellegrino. In his previous two races heading into a $11,200 condition pace on Saturday, Atta Boy Dan had picked up back to back victories from difficult #9 posts. His last victory even put the 11-year-old gelding over the $1 million mark in career earnings.
On Saturday afternoon, Atta Boy Dan, the 9-5 second choice in a field of nine, left from the #6 post and had to work hard to get the lead on the first turn. Once there, however, he wouldn't let it go, pulling away from favorite Thatswhatisaid N and holding off closing Bettor Spirits N to win by a length-and-a-half. With driver George Napolitano Jr. in the bike, he paced the mile in 1:51:1 for his third straight win.
Honorable Mention
Royal Heart (Anthony Napolitano, Darren Taneyhill), who scored his second straight $20,000 claimers on Saturday afternoon, winning in 1:50:1.
Bell I No (George Napolitano Jr., Tee Wine), who managed his second straight victory at the top of the claiming ladder at Pocono with a win on Saturday in 1:50:2.
Golden Quest N (jim Marohn Jr., Mark Harder), a mare who captured her second straight condition win on Sunday night, getting it done in 1:53:2.
TROTTER OF THE WEEK: BEGUIN DUGOUTIER F
You don't see too many French-bred horses racing at the Pocono oval. But this 9-yeatr-gelding trained by Tee Wine is one of them. He came into his start against the $10,000 condition trotters on Sunday night off a sharp victory at Tioga, and, as a result, Beguin Dugoutier F was favored in the field of a nine at 9-5 from an inside post.
Driver Simon Allard settled with Beguin Dugoutier F in 3rd early on while Meadowbranch Ricky set the pace. But the favorite made his move on the back stretch to take over a lead he would not relinquish. Beguin Dugoutier F ended up winning by a length-and-a-half over Marion Gondolier in 1:54:4, which made for a new career best.
Honorable Mention:
Vic's Winner (John Kakaley, Christopher Lakata), who picked up a condition win on Saturday in 1:52:4, which was a new career mark and was also the fastest trotting time of the week at Pocono.
Celebrity Miracle (Kevin Wallis, Jennifer Sansone), who followed up a victory at Harrah's with a condition win here on Sunday night in 1:55:4.
Striking Encore (George Napolitano Jr., Gilberto Garcia-Herrera), whose win in a $25,000 claiming trot on Tuesday in the slop in 1:56:2 gave her three victories in her last three races.
LONG SHOT OF THE WEEK: SAINT SEBASTIAN
This trotter driven by Tom Jackson enjoyed a memorable maiden victory on Monday afternoon, winning at 55-1 for a $118.60 payback on a $2 win ticket.
DRIVER OF THE WEEK: KEVIN WALLS
Kevin was Mr. Long Shot this past week, picking up a win with 10-1 shot Celebrity Miracle on Sunday and then following it up with 33-1 bomber Sweetonthebeack on Monday.
TRAINER OF THE WEEK: PETE PELLEGRINO
Pellegrino has been delivering winners at a very high rate this summer at Pocono, and he continued to do so with three more training victories this past week, including a double on Monday.
That will do it for this week at Pocono, but we'll see you at the track. Feel free to e-mail me at jbeviglia@mohegansunpocono.com.
by Jim Beviglia, for Pocono Downs