Pocono: Hat trick for Svanstedt in Simpson Memorial Stakes

Trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt send out three of the five victors in John Simpson Memorial Stakes action on Monday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Svanstedt took a $54,750 split for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers with Captain Skippy (by Captaintreacherous and bred by Angie Stiller) in 1:52 3/5 and $30,400 flights for sophomore trotting fillies with On The House (by Chapter Seven and bred by Fred Hertrich III) in 1:55 3/5 and Gigi Hanover (by Chapter Seven and bred by Hanover Shoe Farms) in 1:54 2/5. Captain Skippy is owned by Svanstedt in partnership with Joe Sbrocco, On The House is co-owned by Svanstedt, Triple Play Trotters and Little E LLC. and Gigi Hanover is owned by Mellby Gard Inc.

The other grouping for rookie pacing colts and geldings went to Cult Classic (by Heston Blue Chip and bred by co-owner Let It Ride Stables Inc.) in 1:53 2/5 for driver Todd McCarthy, trainer Noel Daley and co-owners Bottom Line Racing LLC. and Lawrence Rosen and the remaining section for the 3-year-old trotting fillies went to Woolco (by Chapter Seven) in 1:56 1/5 for driver Dexter Dunn and owner/breeder/trainer Robert Krivelin and his Hero Stables.

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Gigi Hanover (3-5) was the only winning favorite in the stakes, as Captain Skippy was 9-2, Woolco 8-1, On The House 9-1 and Cult Classic 9-1.