Pocono: Alexander looks to claim victory in Game of Claims series

The Game of Claims series will come an end this weekend, with The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono offering impressive purses for the finals in four separate divisions. On Saturday the survivors of the $15,000 and $25,000 original claiming divisions will go for one huge payout in the finals of each worth $30,000 and $50,000, respectively. On Sunday the nine finalists in the Game of Claims $7,500 and $10,000 claiming events vie for $15,000 and $20,000 purses.

As a whole the Game of Claims has been hugely successful in size and scope as each division attracted a large number of entries, making Pocono's race secretary Rick Kane's job much easier in filling his race programs. Not only was the entry box filled with regularity over the last three weeks but the claim box as well saw intense action as owners and trainers did their best to regain horses prior to this week's finals.

In Saturday's pair of rich finales only three of the 18 horses entered were in the same stable in last week's third preliminary that they will race for in the final. One of those fortunate to find two spots in the series-ender and not lose his horse a week too early was trainer Travis Alexander, who will send out Royal Heart, the 3-1 second choice in the $30,000 Game of Claims final on Saturday (race 11). Alexander also has Cash Is King in the field from post three while Royal Heart will start from post one.

"I thought for sure Royal Heart would get claimed last week,' said Alexander from his Florida training post. Royal Heart has won two of his three starts this year and his trainer is happy with the way he's coming into the race. "Rey Franco (second trainer) and the rest of my crew up there has done a great job this winter," Alexander said, noting that Franco has a wealth of experience.

As to how Alexander was actually able to claim Royal Heart on February 20 sight unseen, he offered others all of the credit. "I've been good friends with Tyler Stillings and Mark Goldberg from The Meadows for 20 years," Alexander said. "They picked him out."

As for Cash Is King, who enters the final off a solid score last Saturday as part of a big afternoon for driver Anthony Napolitano, Alexander couldn't take credit either. "That was all Mike (Spaccarelli) who decided to claim him," said Alexander, who believes Cash Is King is ready for Saturday's encounter.

The races have been contentious in the Game of Claims series and for $50,000 one can expect Saturday's 10th race to be a barn-burner, with trainer Jenn Bongiorno fortunate enough to have successfully claimed two of the finalists last week. American Rebel (post 1) won for Bongiorno in the first leg of the series on February 13 but was claimed from her and again the following week. Her other starter is the 11-year-old A Real Miracle (post 4), the richest horse in the race as well as the one with most career wins at 48. American Rebel is a 5-1 choice for driver Joe Bongiorno, with A Real Miracle and Matt Kakaley the 3-1 second choice on the morning line.

P Drive Hanover drew the pole position in Sunday's $20,000 finale in the Game of Claims $10,000 division, race 10 on the 14-race card.

"Marcus (Miller) got the drive and my instructions are go as hard out of there as you can and hope to stay around," said Alexander, who lost one of the finalists in the field -- Myidealson N -- in last week's concluding elimination.

"Unfortunately, with all of the horses changing hands every week in this series, horses are bound to get sick," said Alexander. "Myidealson N scoped about 80 percent sick after last week's race."

Since the Game Of Claims horses were opened to be claimed by anyone in each of the preliminaries, it's not that surprising to see the aforementioned Mark Goldberg listed as the trainer of Myidealson N (post 9). His Rags To Riches of Pa LLC claimed the 8-year-old last week off of owner Tyler Stillings.

The probable favorite in the $10,000 claiming level final is Sweet Talkin Satin (post 6), who was a three-time winner in the preliminary rounds for three different trainers. Hunter Oakes made the winning claim last week and sends him out for the final.

Oakes also has the 3-1 second choice on the early line in the $7,500 claiming final (race 11). His R Gauwitz Hanover starts from post 6, one spot outside of 5-2 favorite Luziana.

Pocono offers a first-race post-time of 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.