Pocono: Gentleman's Club fastest in John Simpson Memorial divisions

The John Simpson Sr. stakes series, honoring the Hall of Fame horseman and breeding executive with a race in each of the eight stakes categories named after a horse with whom he was associated in his career, opened its annual stay at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Saturday with the Albatross, with three $30,000 divisions for sophomore pacing males. The atmospheric conditions may not have been the greatest (moist, cool and windy), but the racing certainly was first-rate.

"I really didn't expect a 1:49 mile today," said Pocono announcer Jim Beviglia, but that's exactly what was delivered by the Downbytheseaside gelding Gentleman's Club in winning his cut. Like most winners on the day, Gentleman's Club, just a head off in third in the Meadowlands Pace, came from behind, grinding up after fractions of 26 4/5,54 and 1:21 3/5 to seize the lead approaching headstretch and draw off by five lengths. Andrew McCarthy had the drive behind the winner of $486,406 for trainer Aaron Lambert and owner Anthony Licastro.

McCarthy took a second victory with the only non-favorite of the stakes trio, tucking third with the Papi Rob Hanover gelding Callmebigpapi and staying pylon-bound through fractions of 26 4/5, 55 3/5 and 1:23 4/5. The outer tiers stalled, while favored Superchamp Hanover looked ready to pounce from the Pocono Pike - only to get out-closed to his left by the winner, fifth at the stretch call but kicking home himself in 27 seconds to edge Superchamp Hanover at 7-1 by a half-length while tying his mark of 1:51 1/5 for trainer Noel Daley and the ownership of Patricia Stables LLC, L. A. Express Stable LLC., Sjoeblom Racing Inc., and Michael Dolan.

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The Captaintreacherous gelding Another C Note, who won three legs of his Sire Stakes in May, is still going on well in September, recording his 11th victory of the year with a three-quarter length tally over Highland B Best in 1:50 1/5. "B Best" quarter-moved after a 27 second opener and put up middle splits of 55 1/5 and 1:23 1/5, but Another C Note kept on coming despite an uncovered journey and got the decision for the leading driver and trainer at Pocono, Tyler Buter and Ron Burke, and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Let It Ride Stable Inc., and Scott Dillon.

A $25,000 fast-class pace went to one of the few speed horses to hold to the wire, the So Surreal gelding Splash Brother, who fired off fractions of 26 2/5, 55 and 1:22 3/5, then was held together by driver Braxten Boyd to have a three-quarters of a length margin at the 1:50 1/5 finish for trainer Ray Schnittker, co-owner with Nolamaura Racing LLC., Steven Arnold, and Tammy Flannery. The victory was the fourth in the last five starts for Splash Brother; the only horse to beat him recently, Congressional, again raced in the pocket behind the winner but this time could not catch him, and indeed was placed third for a pylon violation.

Trainer Darren Taneyhill was the biggest winner on the day, visiting victory lane four times. Three drivers had driving doubles, with Brett Beckwith the only one of this quartet to win with a Taneyhill horse; the other two-time winners were Braxten Boyd and stakes doubler Andrew McCarthy.

The foul weather that soaked Pocono's Saturday card is hanging over the area, causing Sunday's card to be canceled at Pocono's sister PHHA track, Harrah's Philadelphia. It is hoped that the moisture is ended by Pocono's next scheduled card, Monday at 1 p.m. (EDT), when fast-class trotters are set to contest an $18,500 feature.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--