Pocono: Burke, Gingras take both Pennsylvania Classic eliminations

Trainer Ron Burke came into the Pennsylvania Classic with a solid group, and then dominated the two $25,000 eliminations on Saturday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Check Six led stablemate Big Top Hanover across the wire for Burke and driver Yannick Gingras in 1:50 4/5 in the second elimination, and J K Will Power captured the first in 1:51 1/5.

Check Six had to work every bit for the victory as that division saw multiple lead changes early. Easy Lover Hanover and Lyons Snyder sprinted early for the top with Lyons Snyder regaining the front past the 26 3/5 opening quarter. Big Top Hanover and Matt Kakaley left and waited for the initial action to clear before hustling to the top passing the stands.

Big Top Hanover kept control through the 55 half and then was attacked by his entrymate, Check Six. A son of Somebeachsomewhere, Check Six bolted to the front in a sizzling 1:22 1/5 three-quarters, but the move didn't allow him to gain much separation from the rest of the field.

In the stretch Big Top Hanover came out of the pocket, and Lyons Snyder came inside the passing lane, but neither could get by Check Six. Big Top Hanover settled for second with Lyons Snyder a solid third. Duke Of Delray came from well off-the-pace with a solid close for fourth, and his stablemate J J Flynn was fifth.

Burke Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, W. Switala and J. Martin own the sophomore colt.

J K Will Power took the lead after a 26 4/5 opening quarter and controlled the pace to capture the initial $25,000 division. The Somebeachsomewhere-sired colt, owned by the 3 Brothers Stables, cut soft fractions of 56 2/5 and 1:23 3/5 with only mild pressure offered by Ideal Jimmy on the backstretch.

Gingras roused the horse at headstretch, and the colt held on bravely with early leader The Catamount Kid threatening along the passing lane but unable to go by for driver Jody Jamieson. Manhattan Beach closed up the rail for the show spot with Western Dynasty also finding room late and finishing fourth in the 1:51 1/5 mile.

J K Will Power is now two-for-two on the year.