Pocono: The beat goes on for Lather Up in Max C. Hempt Memorial eliminations

North America Cup champion Lather Up dominated again on Saturday night in his Max C. Hempt elimination for sophomore pacing colts at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono as he kicked away from his rivals in the lane on his way to a 1:49 win.

Starting from post seven in the field of eight, Lather Up (Montrell Teague) worked his way around Nutcracker Sweet (David Miller) for the lead just past the 26 2/5 opening quarter. One would think the competition was in deep water after the half flashed up in just 55 4/5, and that turned out to be a reality as Lather Up easily parried a first-up try by N.A. Cup runner-up Done Well (Tim Tetrick) to the 1:22 2/5 three-quarters, then poured it on in the stretch, zipping away to a 2 1/4 length win over Nutcracker Sweet. Wes Delight (Corey Callahan) sat in and came up the passing lane to beat out Done Well for the last spot in next Saturday's final.

Lather Up, an I'm Gorgeous colt, is trained by Clyde Francis for owners/breeders Gary and Barbara Iles. Lather Up, who has won all seven of his starts this year, has a lifetime record of 11-1-1 from 14 trips behind the gate, and with the lion's share of the $25,000 purse, he pushed his earnings to $544,765. He was the 1-5 choice and paid $2.40 to win.

Dorsoduro Hanover (Matt Kakaley) bounced back after not making the North America Cup final by winning the first Hempt elim in 1:49 4/5.

In that contest, Decoy (D. Miller) left quickly from post eight and clicked off the opening quarter in 26 1/5 before he gave way to This Is The Plan (Tetrick). This Is The Plan led at the 55 1/5 half, but Dorsoduro Hanover was on the outside and challenging at that point, and he would clear past that marker. Dorsoduro Hanover would go on to hit three-quarters in 1:22 1/5, and he would dig in through the lane to hold off Springsteen (Simon Allard), who was rallying from second-over, by a neck on the wire. This Is The Plan was also right there, just half a length back at the wire.

Ron Burke trains Dorsoduro Hanover, a colt by the late, great Somebeachsomewhere, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Silva Purnel And Libby, Weaver Bruscemi LLC., and Wingfield Five LLC. Dorsoduro Hanover won for the third time in his life, and he has now banked $172,668. He returned $3.40 to win as the 3-5 choice.

Rounding out the elimination winners was Hitman Hill (Brett Miller), who front-stepped his way to a 1:49 3/5 win.

Hitman Hill sped into command from post four, and he had control through panels of 26 2/5, 54 4/5, and 1:22 1/5. He was under a two-pronged attack from pocket-sitting Shnitzledosomethin (D. Miller) and a first-up Stay Hungry (Doug McNair) through the lane, but Hitman Hill got to the wire a neck to the good over Shnitzledosomethin. Stay Hungry, who had been left first-over and bothered by a breaking Sometimesawinner (Allard) in the backstretch took third.

An American Ideal gelding, Hitman Hill is trained by Chris Oakes for owners Tom Hill and Northfork Racing Stable. Hitman Hill made his seventh appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now pocketed $182,803. He was the 6-5 second choice and paid $4.40 to win.