Nov 10, 2014 | Racing
Sweet Lou was honored at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Saturday night, a few weeks before his official retirement. The son of Yankee Cruiser was a fan-favorite at Pocono, and set a World Record on Sun Stakes Saturday in June of 1:47, the fastest time ever on a 5/8 mile track. He won 10 of 17 starts this year, with those 10 coming consecutively, and all in sub-1:49 fashion.
Fans wearing the Sweet Lou souvenir hat, given away earlier in the evening, surrounded the Winner’s Circle, as he jogged the Pocono track for the last time of his illustrious career. The Winner’s Circle was filled with his connections, including members of the “Burke Brigade”; co-owner Phil Collura; members of Pocono management, and drivers Ron Pierce and Matt Kakaley.
A few tears were shed as Sweet Lou left the Pocono Winner’s Circle for the last time, and the fans broke out in applause and cheers to send him off with a chorus of “Good Luck” for his next few races and his next career.
Aug 1, 2014 | Racing
July 26, 2014
Dancin Yankee earned his sixth win in a row against elite competition with a victory in Saturday night’s featured Preferred Handicap pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race carried the night’s top purse of $25,000.
Dancin Yankee (Yankee Cruiser-Dancewiththebest), a six-year-old stallion trained by Amber Buter, was assigned the outside post in the field of six and was made the 3-5 favorite. He settled fourth early as the lead changed hands three times. Driver Tyler Buter set him in motion on the back stretch and he corralled pacesetting Aracache Hanover at the top of the home stretch. Dancin Yankee then paced away to win by two lengths over Mach It So in 1:48:4. Bolt The Duer finished third.
The six-race winning streak of Dancin Yankee, owned by Rich Lombardo and Baron Racing Stable, includes four straight at Pocono. He now has 14 wins in 21 races this season, 38 lifetime victories, and career earnings of $900,962.
Jul 21, 2014 | Racing
July 19, 2014
Dancin Yankee continued his dominance in 2014 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with a victory Saturday night in the featured Preferred pace. The race carried the night’s top purse of $25,000.
Dancin Yankee (Yankee Cruiser-Dancewiththebest), a 6-year-old stallion from the barn of trainer Amber Buter, left from the assigned outside post in the field of seven as the 2-5 favorite and sat fourth early on as Digital Z Tam set a fast early pace. Pocket horse Domethatagain pulled to take the lead on the back stretch, allowing driver Tyler Buter to grab some cover on the back stretch before urging Dancin Yankee past Domethatagain in the home stretch for the win by 2 ¼ lengths in 1:48:4. Fat Mans Alley finished third.
The win was the sixth out of the last seven for Dancin Yankee, a stretch that includes five straight victories at Pocono. Owned by Baron Racing and Richard Lombardo, the stallion now has 13 wins in 20 races in 2014 and 37 lifetime victories for career earnings of $888,462.
Jul 21, 2014 | Racing
July 16, 2014
Wakizashi Hanover picked up a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes victory in track-record fashion on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. There were four Sire Stakes divisions held for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the pace, with purses ranging from $59,566 to $59,966.
Wakizashi Hanover (Dragon Again-Western Gesture), made a late first-over move with Corey Callahan in the bike for trainer Jim King Jr. and scored in 1:51. That winning time broke the Pocono track record for 2-year-old geldings on the pace of 1:51:3, which was set by Dovuto Hanover in 2012.
Other Sire Stakes winners on the night: McArdles Lightning (McArdle-Winning Venture), who rallied at 25-1 with Matt Kakaley in the bike for trainer Steve Elliott to win in 1:51; Yankee Bounty (Yankee Cruiser-Bootleg Yankee), who made it three for-three to start his career with a victory in 1:51:3 with Corey Callahan aboard for trainer Kevin Lare; and Dragon Eddy (Dragon Again-Jeska Hanover), also three-for-three in his young career as Mike Simons guided him for trainer John Butenschoen to a victory in 1:51:1.
Jul 7, 2014 | Racing
June 29, 2014
Shake It Cerry bounced back from her first loss of the 2014 season with a victory in a division of the Pennsylvania All Stars on Sunday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. There were three $33,800 divisions of the All Stars races held at Pocono for 3-year-old trotting fillies.
Shake It Cerry (Donato Hanover-Solveig), who was stymied by a world-record performance by Designed To Be in her last start, improved to four-for-five in 2014 with a well-rated victory in 1:54:1. Ron Pierce was aboard the 2013 Breeders Crown champ for trainer Jimmy Takter. Other division winners in the age group on Sunday night were Ocean Love Potion (Yankee Glide-Sole Mate), driven and trained by Ake Svanstedt, who scored her maiden win in 1:54:3; and Lifetime Pursuit (Cantab Hall-Queen Of Grace), driven by Yannick Gingras for trainer Jimmy Takter, who scored in 1:53:3.
There were also four $32,650 divisions of Pennsylvania All Stars Races held at Pocono on Sunday night for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the pace. Tomy Terror (Western Terror-Mib Hanover), a 10-1 shot trained by John Butenschoen and driven by Corey Callahan, posted the fastest winning time of the freshmen with a victory in 1:53:3. Other division winners: Dragon Eddy (Dragon Again-Jaska Hanover), driven by Mike Simons and trained by Butenschoen, in 1:54:3; Trading Up (Somebeachsomewhere-Rita J), driven by Scott Zeron and trained by Tony Alagna, in 1:53:4; and Yankee Bounty (Yankee Cruiser-Bootleg Yankee), driven by Callahan and trained by Kevin Lare, in 1:53:4.
