June 2, 2012
AJ Corbelli came from last at the three-quarter pole to prevail in the featured pace on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race, which was a condition for winners of over $25,000 lifetime, carried the night’s top purse of $25,000.
Leaving from post position #6 in a field of eight at odds of 6-1, A J Corbelli, who hails from the barn of Rene Allard, was content to sit at the back of the back as crushing fractions were laid down by Schoolkids early and Blatantly Good in the middle half of the race. Driver George Napolitano Jr. set the 5-year-old gelding sired by Rocknroll Hanover in motion into the clubhouse turn, and, even though he was still last at the three-quarter pole, A J Corbelli sped by all the tiring horses out wide late to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:50. Dancin Yankee finished second and Custard The Dragon picked up the show. Won The West, closing in on $4 million in his career, paced 4th in his 2012 debut.
A J Corbelli won for fifth time in 12 2012 races. It was his 16th career victory and it pushed his lifetime earnings to $240,204.