Village Jade had to make two early moves to get into position for a pocket trip, and then she was able to go forward a third time late to win the $17,000 featured distaff pace on Monday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

The daughter of Bettors Delight, favoured at 4-5, took command early, yielded to the onrushing Always B First, then moved out towards the :27.1 quarter, just in front of second choice Better Watch It. Village Jade went on to the top for a second time then yielded to Better Watch It, who took the field through mid fractions of :56 and 1:23.2.

The pacesetter and the pocket sitter hooked up in a classic stretch duel, with Village Jade able to come on yet again to pass her game rival late by a neck, with the time of 1:51 a lifetime best for the four-year-old. The victory was a teaming of Pocono’s leading driver Matt Kakaley and its leading trainer Ron Burke, with Village Jade owned by the Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC partnership.

George Napolitano, Jr. had four wins on the day, while brother Anthony had three. Matt Kakaley posted two wins, so the score at the top of the Pocono drivers’ standings is Kakaley 220, “George Nap” 215, with just over a month to go.

The racing week at Pocono at this time is Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

(PHHA / Pocono)