Pocono: McWicked surges from second-over to Ben Franklin title

McWicked was the lone favorite to get the job done in the big four stakes events on Sun Stakes Saturday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono as he converted a second-over journey into a 1:49 3/5 decision in the $500,000 Ben Franklin for older pacing males.

Filibuster Hanover (Yannick Gingras) charged into the lead from post eight, and he was able to get fellow Ron Burke trainees Rockin Ron (Louis-Philippe Roy) and All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) behind him at the 26 second opening quarter, with McWicked (Brian Sears) settling fourth from post two.

All Bets Off would pull first-over as the field raced into the stretch for the first time, and Sears and McWicked gladly accepted the cover, sitting poised to strike at the 55 second half-mile marker and the 1:22 2/5 three-quarters.

Filibuster Hanover was able to put away All Bets Off late on the last turn and was clear at the top of the lane, but Sears sent McWicked three-wide for the drive, and he gobbled up racetrack, vaulting past Filibuster Hanover and the other contenders on his way to a one and a half-length victory. Rockin Ron was the runner-up, with Mac's Jackpot (Brett Miller) third at 103-1. Donttellmeagain (Tim Tetrick) brushed in for fourth, and Filibuster Hanover dropped back to fifth.

"I was able to work out a slow second-over trip. I was hoping I wouldn't have to three-deep too early, and it wasn't really the case," Sears stated. "We out-sprinted them coming home. He raced super. I can't say enough about the horse. He's a real sweetheart to drive and gives you everything he's got every week."Derick GiwnerSplit The House wins the Franklin consolation

Casie Coleman trains McWicked, a 7-year-old McArdle stallion, for owner S S G Stables. This was McWicked's 26th lifetime win, and he has now pocketed $2,646,362. He was dispatched at 3-5 after winning his elimination, and he paid $3.40 to win.

Sears also won the $75,000 Franklin consolation with defending Breeders Crown Open Pace champion Split The House in a 1:49 clocking. Making his second start of the season, Split The House sat fifth on the rail through panels of 26 4/5, 55, and 1:21 1/5, edged out late on the final turn, and surged by on the far outside to win by half a length over a passing lane-shooting Boogie Shuffle (David Miller). Dealt A Winner (Brett Miller) was third after a first-over trip.

Split The House, a 6-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding, is trained by Chris Oakes for owner Crawford Farms Racing. Split The House is now a 13-time winner in his career, and he has put away $643,833. He was sent off at 14-1 and returned $31.20 to win.

"We have to see how he comes out of the race before choosing the next spot," said Oakes. "He's the kind of horse that you have to be careful with."