The John Simpson Sr. Memorial Stakes series continued Saturday at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, with 3-year-old colts and geldings racing in three divisions on each gait while chasing a total of $193,210.
The trotting race, known as the Ayres, saw its fastest mile, 1:52 1/5, turned in by the Face Time Bourbon colt Gap Kronos S, who was driven by George Napolitano Jr. for Bruni Racing Team Inc. Gap Kronos S, the favorite, had to race first-over from before the half, but coming home in a speedy 55 2/5 got him under the wire first, two lengths ahead of 74-1 shot Onemore Volo.
Gap Kronos S is trained by Ake Svanstedt, and the master Swedish horseman sent out another Ayers winner in the Walner gelding Don't Ask For More. The second choice sat on the back of favored pace-setter Karinchak, then came up the inside and caught the leader by a neck in 1:54 1/5 for driver Johnathan Ahle and the partnership of Ake Svanstedt Inc., Nils Munkhaugen, Barry Carter, and Michael Carter.
The Greenshoe gelding Sensational, who overcame a break to win upon coming to Pocono in his last start, made it two straight over the mountain oval, never looking back to win in a lifetime-best 1:53 2/5 for driver Matt Kakaley and trainer George Ducharme, the latter's George Ducharme Stable LLC. co-owner with W.J. Donovan. Had Sensational looked back late, he would have seen the chalk Onajetplane to his right and Warrior to his left, but he won by a neck over the former, who photoed the latter for second.
Pocono's all-time leading driver George Napolitano Jr. had the fastest winner in the Ayres trot, and he also was behind the swiftest of the Albatross pacing winners, World Of Wishes. The Bettor's Wish gelding quarter-moved to command, then came his back-half in 55 seconds to complete a 1:50 4/5 mile a length ahead of Beach Club Monty. Chris Ryder trains the winner, third and timed in 1:47 2/5 in his Tattersalls section, for Philip Steinberg.
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The other two Albatross divisions were taken by altered sons of Papi Rob Hanover. First to the winner's circle was 15-1 outsider Dreamboat Hanover, who moved with cover behind a fast pace and then was a three length winner in 1:51 1/5 for the meet's leading driver Tyler Buter and trainer Todd Schadel, the latter co-owner with wife Christine, Timothy Hayes, and Dr. Megan Moschat.
Also successful in the Albatross was the people's choice Makes Sense, who got great cover from Gold Glove Hanover, then finished out his own last half in 54 1/5 to defeat the raw challenger by 1 3/5 lengths in 1:51 3/5. Jack Pelling handled the winner for trainer Robert Cleary and owners Let It Ride Stables Inc. Celtic Racing, and Carl Howard.
There were six stakes races on the 15-race Saturday card, and the majority of the non-stakes were won by one driver - and a driver not even a regular at Pocono. But Brett Beckwith is going to represent the U.S. in the World Driving Championship in New Zealand next month - and Enzeds beware that Beckwith is coming to you in top form, having won five times on this Pocono card. Beckwith had won with two 7-1 shots and a 6-1 shot before the (unhit) Pick Four from race one was closed.
For the third program in-a-row, Pocono had a winner pay $50+ for a deuce to be first. The one on Saturday was Literl Lad Hanover, a PA Sire Stakes winner at three and still with firepower at age seven as he won for trainer Dean Eckley and paid $84.20. The "Lad" was driven by Simon Allard, who was coming off a $84.80 win with Jaffa Josh N a day earlier at Philly.
Literl Lad Hanover triumphed in the final race of the Pick 5 wager, which undoubtedly contributed to that wager going unsolved. The money will carry over to Monday's fifth race, and there will be a $4,000 guaranteed pool for that wager. Monday will also see the Simpson Series stakes conclude for 2025 with 3-year-old fillies in the spotlight, with $190,000 to be contested in the Davidia Hanover for trotters and Razzle Hanover for pacers.
--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--