Mach It So, the veteran Mach Three gelding coming off a late-charging victory in the Quillen Memorial at Harrington, used speedy tactics Saturday night at the harness racing meeting at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, overcoming less-than-ideal conditions and a good field to take the $24,000 featured pace in 1:49.4.
Driver Andrew McCarthy sent Mach It So to the lead after the 27.1, and the career winner of $1.09M took it from there, putting up middle splits of 55.3 and 1:22.4, then booking home in 27 over a good track in 46 temperatures to win by six lengths for trainer Jeff Bamond Jr. and Bamond Racing LLC.
The winner certainly seems to like the Pocono surface — he took his mark of 1:48 here last year, and he certainly doesn't seem to mind traveling, now having consecutive wins at Mohawk, Harrington, and Pocono.
Scott Rocks, who had a series of "close but no cigar" finishes in his most recent starts prior to the $20,000 co-feature, finally got home first by using pocket rocket tactics under the guidance of George Napolitano Jr. to tally in 1:50.2 for trainer Chris Oakes and owners Susan Oakes and Chuck Pompey.
The winner was the fourth on the card for "George Nap," giving him 15 trips to Victory Lane in the first three days of October, an average of 3.75 wins per card (two at Philly and two here).
Jerry Connors