Two trotters shipped into The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 24) – Katkin Morgan from Hoosier Park, Nezblanc from The Meadows – and promptly won the two trotting segments of the $15,300 tri-features.
The Donato Hanover gelding Nezblanc posted the faster mile, equaling his lifetime best of 1:53.1 and leading at every call for driver George Napolitano Jr., the perennial Pocono leader who won five races Tuesday. Aaron Johnston trains the trotter who looks to be headed for better things for owner Richard Hess.
The Guccio gelding Katkin Morgan was impressive in his own way during his 1:54.2 victory – he was last at the quarter, not prime territory from which to launch a winning bid locally, and sixth at the stretch call, but Anthony Napolitano had him rallying strongly and was along in plenty of time for trainer Peter Pellegrino and Brett Boyd Racing Inc.
The third feature was a pacing contest in which the Rockin Image gelding Stellar BB followed the cover of Tell Them Lou, then caught that rival by a nose to post his fourth victory in his last five starts. The 1:51.2 winner paid a very George Napolitano Jr.-unlike $37.40 in getting the nod in the picture for trainer Darren Taneyhill and owner Eric Prevost.
Hambletonian Oaks champion Bella Bellini makes her first start since winning the classic three weeks ago, taking on older rivals in a $19,300 event that will be co-featured on Saturday (Aug. 28) with two $35,000 Pennsylvania All-Stars events for three-year-old pacing fillies. The card on Saturday begins at 12:30 p.m.; program pages will be available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Pocono)