Crossfit, who is a gelded son of Donato Hanover, has now won two consecutive races and four of his last seven starts.
Andy Miller sent the favoured Crossfit first-over, and the duo locked into a 'battle royal' with pacesetting Striking Encore from the backstretch onward. Crossfit finally separated himself from his stubborn rival and went on to record the win by three and a half lengths. Trainer Susan Marshall co-owns Crossfit, who has now banked $129,160 in purses, along with John Marshall.
Also on during the program, sophomore Sweet Lou gelding Tito Rocks won a conditioned pace in a lifetime-best 1:50, which is a brisk clocking for the class. This coming Sunday, Tito Rocks will start from Post 5 at Harrah's Philadelphia in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship. In his Tuesday effort, George Napolitano Jr. put the talented three-year-old on the lead and let him ramble in :26.4, :55.1, and 1:22.1 in the big victory for trainer Robert Cleary and Royal Wire Products Inc.
Also impressive on Tuesday was the Muscle Hill–Possessed By Lindy freshman trotting colt Lindysmusclemania, who is now 2-for-2. Lindysmusclemania started from the outside Post 8 and covered the mile in 1:55, which was a personal best. The strong colt is trained and driven by Åke Svanstedt for Stall Droad AB.
The ream of the Pennsylvania-sired two-year-olds will be on full display at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono this Saturday afternoon for their Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championships. Among the championships, the consolations, and the overnight races, $1.28-million in total purses will be offered at Pocono Saturday.
(With files from PHHA / Pocono)