Pocono: Game Of Claims Series finals conclude

The Nob Hill High gelding Nob Hill Flash completed a sweep of his Game Of Claims Series action for $15,000 base-tagged pacers Monday at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, tacking on a 1:52 victory in his $20,000 Championship event after winning in each of his preliminaries.

Nob Hill Flash, the 50-cent favorite, moved from third from driver Anthony Napolitano nearing the 27 2/5 quarter, but Play Jet Ray pulled the pocket in front of him and went around early leader Aerosmith Hanover, with Nob Hill Flash refilling his own hole. Just past the 55 4/5 half, the "Flash" flashed out uncovered and battled with Play Ray Jet the rest of the way, past a 1:23 3/5 three-quarters and through the lane until finally gaining the advantage as he won by a neck.

Owner Karen Taylor and trainer Pierre Paradis, who took over the horse after his first prelim win, won the second with him but then lost him to another claim, wound up winning the crucial game of musical claiming chairs last week when reacquiring him, and saw the game pacer garner the lion's share of the Championship purse. Despite being claimed every prelim week, Anthony Napolitano, top driver on the day with a quartet of triumphs, guided Nob Hill Flash in all four of his GOC wins.

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The $7,500 base-priced pacers went their $15,000 Championship race on Monday as well, and Hashtag Money, who had won his two previous starts but had to overcome the outside post eight, made it look easy with a coast-to-coast win in 1:52 3/5, a new mark, while returning a big $81.40 mutuel. Fractions of 27 1/5, 56 2/5 and 1:23 4/5 proved no deterrent to the Alberta-bred Sunshine Beach gelding as he won by three lengths for driver Simon Allard. Unclaimed in his first two series legs, Hashtag Money moved to the corner of trainer Ivan Llopez and Friendship Stables LLC. after the last prelim, and for that duo the timing was perfect.

Pocono also saw its fastest trotting mile of the year on the mild Monday card, as the Kadabra mare P L Notsonice was ready in her second seasonal race to tally in 1:53 4/5. Matt Kakaley was behind the winner of $455,946 for trainer Steven Brabrook and Elite Harness Racing LLC.

Tuesday's 1 p.m. card at The Downs will shine its spotlight on up-and-coming trotters and pacers, with a foursome of $15,000 contests the top purse events.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--