Pocono: Anthony Napolitano gets 3000th win

"Youthful veteran" driver Anthony Napolitano recorded the 3000th victory of his driving career Tuesday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono with a hard-earned victory behind the Artspeak sophomore pacing miss Winning Words. The favored filly had to go the difficult first-over route, yet held off a host of distaffs coming from every direction to take a new mark of 1:53 4/5.

The 38-year-old Napolitano, brother of local top reinsman George Napolitano Jr., is currently in the 20th year of his sulky career. His horses have won over $1 million for 12 consecutive years, including the last five years with their earnings each being over $2 million. His best money year came in 2018, when he handled the winners of $3.5 million. Anthony has also won over 200 races in each of the last four seasons, with his yearly high in 2009 at 295.

Anthony currently ranks fifth in victories and third in money earned among the talented Pocono driving community.

The Rock N Roll Heaven gelding Rockapelo, who a month ago was racing against Meadowlands Preferred company, got a far easier field to face in the finale and responded with an all-by-himself victory in 1:49 1/5, fastest mile so far in 2020 at Pocono. Matt Kakaley sent the winner of $354,662 right down the road and increased his lead throughout the last half in winning for trainer Ron Burke and the ownership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC along with Phil Collura.

-edited release (PHHA/Pocono)