Pocono: Bartlett drives Bermuda, Hit Me Up to PA All-Stars scores
Jason Bartlett drove the winners of both $35,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania All-Stars contest for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
First to visit Victory Lane was the Captaintreacherous-Sweetest Emotion filly Bermuda, who posted a 1:53 3/5 mark in her first lifetime purse success. Bartlett had wanted to leave from post three with his baby, but favored Jazzed from the rail and No Foolin in post two left hard to protect forward spots, so Bartlett took back to third and sat while Jazzed put up a quarter of 27 4/5 and then a soft half of 57 4/5. Bermuda and Bartlett went up first-over and paced their own third quarter in 27 seconds to gain into contention, and in the stretch the winner was able to wear down the pace-setter by a half-length for trainer Nancy Takter and Diamond Creek Racing.
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Trainer Jenn Bongiorno, 55 minutes before Water Sports Teen put in his stunning Adios elimination victory, enjoyed another stakes success with the Always B Miki-Gallie Beach miss Hit Me Up in 1:54. Hit Me Up and Bartlett had to work hard to wrest the lead near the 28 second opener, but Hit Me Up got a rest to the half in 58 1/5, and then back fractions of 55 4/5 - 27 2/5 were just too much for her opposition. Hit Me Up now has a record of two wins and one second in her brief career for owner Joshua Jay Graber (also the owner of Water Sports Teen).
The most impressive mile from the overnight horses was a 1:51 4/5 lifetime-best from the Airzoom Hanover mare Morairtime in a $13,000 trot. Jack Parker Jr. pointed his mare frontward and, relieved to escape the likes of Manchego and Atlanta, posted splits of 26 3/5, 54 3/5, and 1:22 4/5 en route to the sharp victory. The winner of $289,463 is trained by Carol Jamieson-Parker for owner James Moore III.
Perennial Pocono leading driver George Napolitano Jr. reported home first five times during the afternoon program.
--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--