Pocono: New lifetime marks turned in by Hempt Memorial elim winners

With the top three finishers from the Pepsi North America Cup all absent from the Max C. Hempt Memorial at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Shake That House, Proof, and Captain Victorious took a turn in the spotlight by winning the three $25,000 eliminations for sophomore pacing colts and geldings on Saturday night. All three colts turned in career-best clockings in their triumphs.

Shake That House (Brian Sears) moved to the top past Air Force Hanover (David Miller) beyond the 26 second opening quarter and kept the pace lively after hitting the front, reaching the half in 53 4/5. Aflame Hanover (Andrew McCarthy), who was fourth in the Cup, moved up to challenge first-over at the 1:21 4/5 three-quarters, but Shake That House rebuffed his bid and held safe to the wire, winning by a length in 1:49. Air Force Hanover wound up second, with Aflame Hanover back in third.

An American Ideal colt, Shake That House is trained by Chris Oakes for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Alan Johnston, and Northfork Racing Stable. Shake That House scored career win number seven, and he pushed his bankroll to $160,903. The 3-2 second choice, he paid $5.00 to win.

In the next elimination Lyons Night Hawk (Sears) put up stations of 26 1/5, 54 1/5, and 1:21, but a first-over Proof (David Miller) forged his way to the front on the final bend and drew clear to score by three lengths in 1:48 1/5. Brassy Hanover (Corey Callahan) rallied from sixth and last to second in the final quarter, and Lyons Night Hawk held third.

Proof, who was second in the Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace final at Pocono last year, is a colt by A Rocknroll Dance. He is a homebred for Adam Bowden's Diamond Creek operation, and Brian Brown handles the training of the eight-time winner and earner of $476,299. Proof was dispatched as the 4-5 favorite and returned $3.60 to win.

Captain Victorious (Yannick Gingras) and Escapetothebeach (George Napolitano Jr.) hooked up in a wicked battle in the final elimination, with the former leaving out the latter through panels of 26, 53 2/5, and 1:21 1/5. Despite the duel and the hot tempo, Captain Victorious had a lot left in the final quarter, kicking home in 27 2/5 to win by two lengths over pocket-sitter Hurrikane Emperor (Daniel Dube). Highlandbeachlover (Tim Tetrick) came in for third.

Ron Burke trains Captain Victorious, a Captaintreacherous colt, for owner The Captain V Stable. Captain Victorious made the North America Cup final with a strong second in his elimination but was tenth in the final after bleeding. This was Captain Victorious's fourth career triumph, and he has now pocketed $180,271. He was the 4-1 third choice and paid $10.00 to win.