Fastest Mile of the Race at Pocono Downs

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Mid-card rain during the harness racing program on Saturday afternoon (June 29) at Pocono Downs in Mohegan Pennsylvania caused most of the featured races to take place on a track deemed “sloppy”, but Maximus Miki (Always B Miki) overcame both weather conditions and a tough field to win the $25,000 Open Pace in 1:49 – the best time of 2024 at Pocono.

After contesting the opening splits of :26.1 and :54.1, George Napolitano Jr. sent out Maximus Miki to challenge leader Big Skewy N, and the two reached the three-quarter mark in 1:21.2.

Their battle continued all the way to the home straight, where Maximus Miki finally took the lead. Big Skewy N held on well and crossed the line in second, but he was classified fifth for drifting into the passing lane and blocking his opponents on the home straight.

Maximus Miki now sports a 14-7-4-3 record in 2024, and he has financed $125,295 this year alone. He races for Team Cancelliere – trainer Tom and owner John.

REPLAY OF MAXIMUS MIKI

Rain started in the race before the first of two top-class $17,000 trots, with the track rated “good” for that event. He went to the sire Stosh, a son of Father Patrick who had to get going in the first half but still won easily in an impressive 1:54 mile. Jason Bartlett, who was joined by Tyler Buter and Anthony Napolitano to bring three winners to Victory Lane, guided winning trainee Jill Roland for owner Bernard O’Brien.

REPLAY OF FATHER STOSH

The other $17,000 trot saw Cant Help Myself (Help is on the way) refused to give in from the barrier, staying strong to the finish while matching her mark of 1:53.3. Jason Bartlett completed a sweep of this class while handling duties behind the winner of three straight races for trainer/owner Don Niccum.

I can’t help myself replay

A $16,500 fast class event for trotters saw another horse shrug his shoulders for a maiden trip – the Cassis gelding On Higher Ground, who found himself safe after a 1:53 mile. On Higher Ground, winner of $587,004, was driven by Joe Bongiorno for trainer/sister Jenn Bongiorno, also his partner in ownership of JB Racing.

The mud didn’t bother him Tall and dark stranger – Economy Terror’s two-year-old colt Inflation Proof didn’t fare at all, as he made his pari-mutuel debut in a solid 1:53. Jason Bartlett fired right after several lead changes, swung the freshman around the final turn and earned the victory for trainer Hunter Oakes and owners Howard Taylor and Chuck Pompey.

Two-year-olds compete in their first local race of the season on Sunday at 6 p.m., with three $30,000 divisions of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for freshman male trotters. Free Pocono programs are available at: www.phha.org.

For full race results click here: US Trotting Results.

Of PHHA / Pocono Downs