Springboard upset Winner in Open I Handicap Trot at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
WILKES-BARRE, PA — Springboard, with Jim Taggart Jr. in the sulky, made it three straight at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Tuesday night.
A 28-1 longshot, Springboard produced a life mark of 1:53.1 in winning the $24,000 Open I handicap trot.
Last week, Springboard and Taggart Jr. won the Open II trot with a life mark of 1:54.1 and also was a long shot in that race.
Trained and owned by Miles Wollam, Springboard is now two for two at the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack after winning in 1:55.2 at the Meadows.
Taggart Jr. was a gapped second-over behind Grain Of Truth (Ray Schnittker) going down the backside with favorite Stand Guard (George Napolitano Jr.) on the front end.
A three-wide move was then made by Taggart Jr. at the top of the lane and the winner edged Southern Rocketop (Matt Kakaley) and Grain Of Truth by three-quarters of a length.
You’re Next (Joe Pavia Jr.) took the eight-horse field to the opening panel in 27.1 while Stand Guard was the new leader at the half and three-quarters with the times being 55.4 and 1:24.1.
BigPepper, reined by Napolitano Jr., won the Open II trot with a time of 1:54.2. This six-year-old gelding was making his first appearance for new owner John J. Wach of Boonton, N.J. and trainer Wendy Chellis. Wach claimed BigPepper for $23,000 on July 3 when the trotter won in 1:55 for trainer Lou Pena.
Badboy Paparazzi A (Mike Simons) finished second in Tuesday night’s race while Lord Darby (Eric Goodell) was third.