WILKES-BARRE PA – The Meadows shipper Redder Than Red charged home to take a 1:54 decision by a nose over Dynamic Edge in the $16,500 harness racing featured trot at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, while in the companion pacing event Bushwacker overcame the first-over grind to win by two lengths in 1:50 on Saturday — a night that was also spiced up by two horses who paid over $100 to win.
The eight-year-old SJ's Caviar gelding Redder Than Red, who had just won in 1:53.2 on the engine two starts back, used closing tactics upon coming into the Downs, and the well-timed move just got the winner of $358,858 up over Dynamic Edge for driver Tyler Buter and owner/trainer Lisa Dunn. Redder Than Red's full brother (they're both chestnuts) and former barnmate under the Dunn shedrow, the seven-year-old Ruddy Rusty, was also in the co-feature but could not produce enough rally to be a factor.
The Rocknroll Hanover gelding Bushwacker had gotten early position in the pacing headliner, but brisk early action forced him to come first-over, although it did help that the half was reached in 53.3. The winner of $652,457 easily surmounted the grinding route to defeat pacesetter Te Kawau N for trainer Chris Ryder and the ownership of Henderson Farms.
More on Anthony Napolitano: "ANap," by far the leading driver in the "bomber" ($50+) category at Pocono (he now has eight; Simon Allard is closest at four), expertly weaved through traffic in the last eighth, springing a surprise with Rock On The Hill to rewrite the longest price of the meet to $188.20 in the night's fourth contest. Later driver Vinnie Ginsburg got in on the mutuel fun, getting a pocket trip with Keystone Camaro, then coming on to win by three lengths and pay $104.80 on the nose in the eleventh. It was the first time this year that Pocono had seen two $100+ visitors to Victory Lane on one card.
PHHA / Pocono