Trainer Linda Schadel swept the $17,000 featured trots on a soggy Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 26) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, tallying with the Muscle Massive gelding Focus Pocus in 1:57.2 and then with the Conway Hall mare Sweet Heart As in 1:56.4.
Sweet Heart As had a rough journey coming raw from last in a five-horse field, but driver Marcus Miller got him to grind by the pacesetting Bang Bang Boinga, who eventually made a break, and then outclosed the potential pocket rocket So Long Hanover by a neck. Linda and Tony Schadel share ownership of this four-year-old winner.
Focus Pocus was used to get the early lead by driver Tyler Buter in his event, and then gave up the lead to tail early mover Serrano Volo. Focus Pocus stayed in the pocket until the famed Pocono Pike opened, and then Buter tipped him inside and he prevailed over the rugged 26-1 first-over Dudelookslikealindy by a half length. Linda also shares ownership of the victorious four-year-old with her husband Tony.
In the absence of husband Tony (who currently sits second in the North American UDR table in the 100-299 starts category with a batting average of .430), Linda picked out the right catch-drivers for her double, as Miller (four) and Buter (three) accounted for half the driving tallies on the 14-race Pocono card.
Pocono presents the final card of its 2021 racing season this Saturday (Oct. 30) at 12:30 p.m. (EDT). Featured will be a $21,500 pace in Race 10, in which the 2019 Adios winner Southwind Ozzi, coming off a win against similar at Philly, is the 5-2 early favourite in a seven-horse field. Program pages will be available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Pocono)