Pocono: Our handicappers analyze the Sun Stakes finals

On Saturday (June 29) The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono will host four rich stakes finals. We asked our group of handicappers to provide their top four selections in each race and give their reasoning for their top pick.

[SUN STAKES: Free Harness Eye PPs, 20% Rebate & Live Video for Sun Stakes Saturday at The Downs at Pocono.]

$300,000 James Lynch Memorial - Race 9

Garnet Barnsdale

Treacherous Reign, Warrawee Ubeaut, Odds On St Lucie, Tall Drink Hanover

(5) TREACHEROUS REIGN showed two starts back what she could do with big money on the line and while she needed a perfect trip to get there, I expect a more aggressive steer here and she could be in great position again to register another mild upset.

Jay Bergman

Stonebridge Soul, Warrawee Ubeaut, Treacherous Reign, Zero Tolerance

In what shapes up as the best of the four competitively look for (4) STONEBRIDGE SOUL to spring the surprise. She’s perfectly spotted to work out a close-up trip and has shown the heart to finish it off.

Jeremey Day

Treacherous Reign, Warrawee Ubeaut, Zero Tolerance, Odds On St Lucie

(5) TREACHEROUS REIGN can turn the tables on (1) WARRAWEE UBEAUT by securing a pocket trip this week. She really had no chance once Yannick Gingras made the winning maneuver early. She will offer a better price this week and will be firing early.

Derick Giwner

Blue Ivy, Warrawee Ubeaut, Treacherous Reign, Stonebridge Soul

(3) BLUE IVY rallied nicely last week as she continues to get better. In a wide-open race that is loaded with potential early speed, she seems like a viable alternative at a huge price with the underated Tyler Buter driving for a barn clicking at over 30 percent on this track.

Bob Pandolfo

Treacherous Reign, Warrawee Ubeaut, Stonebridge Soul, Odds On St Lucie

(5) TREACHEROUS REIGN tailed off at the end of last year but has come back sharp for trainer Tony Alagna. She left and got the upset win over the likely favorite (1) WARRAWEE UBEAUT in the Fan Hanover stakes at Mohawk/Woodbine. She may get a similar trip here, as the favorite tends to lag early and then quarter move.

Greg Reinhart

Odds On St Lucie, Warrawee Ubeaut, Treacherous Reign, Stonebridge Soul

(6) ODDS ON ST LUCIE has been impressive in both her starts this year, including a sharp win from the pocket in her Lynch elim. I like the mid-pack post and think she might get the same trip again at a price.

Matt Rose

Treacherous Reign, Warrawee Ubeaut, Zero Tolerance, Philly Hanover

(5) TREACHEROUS REIGN was sharp winning the Fan Hanover at Woodbine Mohawk Park and got caught uncovered into the quicker part of her Lynch elimination, so she can be excused for flattening. Dexter Dunn has been firing on all cylinders lately.

Darin Zoccali

Odds On St Lucie, Warrawee Ubeaut, Treacherous Reign, Stonebridge Soul

For some reason that is completely unbeknownst to me, (6) ODDS ON ST LUCIE is 20-1 on the morning line. She is 7 for 12 lifetime, two for two this year including a 1:49.4 elimination win for this Final at odds of 9/5. Put that all together and it’s good enough for me.

$500,000 Max Hempt Memorial - Race 10

Garnet Barnsdale

Proof, Captain Victorious, Hurrikane Emperor, Air Force Hanover

(2) PROOF demolished his previous lifetime-best last week in a strong effort and it’s obvious that trainer Brian Brown has him at the top of his game for this $500K final of the Hempt. He gets the nod in a race with several legitimate chances.

Jay Bergman

Proof, Brassy Hanover, Captain Victorious, Air Force Hanover

It was hard not to notice just how good (2) PROOF looked on the track before and during last week’s trial. Whatever miles came before that appear to be history and he should take advantage of the draw.

Jeremey Day

Proof, Captain Victorious, Shake That House, Hurrikane Emperor

(2) PROOF sophomore pacer gets a perfect post with options for the Hall of famer Dave Miller. He was vicious last week with a brush and crush power move first over. With a good setup that burst of speed can get the job done.

Derick Giwner

Hurrikane Emperor, Proof, Captain Victorious, Air Force Hanover

We saw good improvement from (4) HURRIKANE EMPEROR last week as he continues to get “up to speed” with the top crew in this division. He’s got a great draw here and I’m hoping driver Dan Dube is patient and looks for a cover trip.

Bob Pandolfo

Proof, Captain Victorious, Shake That House, Hurrikane Emperor

(2) PROOF has raced well over this track in his career and he’s been very tough to beat when Captain Crunch isn’t in the race, which is the case here. He can race on or off the pace and he comes off an impressive race over the track.

Greg Reinhart

Captain Victorious, Proof, Hurrikane Emperor, Brassy Hanover

In the Hempt I like (8) CAPTAIN VICTORIOUS. The added Lasix after bleeding in the North America Cup final seemed to do the trick as he was vicious in his elim, parking one out and drawing off. Expect an aggressive drive.

Matt Rose

Shake That House, Proof, Captain Victorious, Hurrikane Emperor

(7) SHAKE THAT HOUSE didn’t fire in his NA Cup elimination try but bounced right back with a sharp two-move score here last week. If Sears get can him out forwardly from the gate he could be trouble here.

Darin Zoccali

Shake That House, Air Force Hanover, Captain Victorious, Proof

(7) SHAKE THAT HOUSE was impressive in his elimination last week. He was sharp going into the North America Cup and it is worth noting he was only 8-1 there. While he is a cut below the best of this crop, that is good enough in this field.

$500,000 Ben Franklin Memorial - Race 11

Garnet Barnsdale

Springsteen, Western Fame, McWicked, Lather Up

(2) SPRINGSTEEN took his biggest purse here in the 2018 Hempt Final and he was very good last week. He gets an ideal post from which to sit a nice stalking trip; call to upset.

Jay Bergman

McWicked, Springsteen, Beckham’s Z Tam, Western Fame

In as much as I’d like to find a way to go against (1) MCWICKED the feeling here as that Sears is not likely to allow anyone else to dictate the pace. Rival Lather Up has struggled on the turns here and his draw hurts badly.

Jeremey Day

McWicked, Lather Up, Western Fame, Springsteen

(1) MCWICKED looked like a winner last week before (7) LATHER UP showed another gear late. The 8-year-old stallion is probably just now back in racing shape making his third start in three weeks after an early season foot issue.

Derick Giwner

Springsteen, McWicked, This Is The Plan, Lather Up

(2) SPRINGSTEEN charged home in his first start of the year and we’ve seen him pop a big mile here in the past. He should only be tighter with that start under his belt. While (1) MCWICKED is the horse to beat, I’d give a try in the Pick 4 with (5) THIS IS THE PLAN at a big price.

Bob Pandolfo

Western Fame, Lather Up, McWicked, This Is The Plan

(4) WESTERN FAME has been strong so far this year. Last week he took a new lifetime mark when he won in 1:48 1/5 over this track, which was significant because it was his first win in 10 starts over this surface, an indication that he’s really good right now.

Greg Reinhart

Springsteen, Western Fame, McWicked, This Is The Plan

I’ll go with (2) SPRINGSTEEN in the Ben Franklin final. Rallied superbly last week at his favorite track off a super-sharp qualifier at the Meadowlands, and that was just his first start of 2019. I’ll look for more improvement tonight.

Matt Rose

McWicked, Western Fame, Beckham’s Z Tam, Lather Up

(1) MCWICKED was a bit short in his last two, settling for third-place finishes. Nothing wrong with those efforts in my opinion and I expect him to step up big-time with $500K now on the line.

Darin Zoccali

Western Fame, Lather Up, McWicked, Springsteen

Many of the contenders are not that fast away from the gate. That plays to (4) WESTERN FAME’s advantage. I don’t see any way that he isn’t either on the lead or sitting the pocket. Any way you slice it, he appears to be strictly the one to beat here.

$500,000 Earl Beal Memorial - Race 12

Garnet Barnsdale

Greenshoe, Green Manalishi S, Summit In Sight, Osterc

Trainer Marcus Melander has a pair of aces up his sleeve here and of that dynamic duo, I’ll side with Greenshoe, who has put it all together this year and has been nothing short of brilliant.

Jay Bergman

Greenshoe, Green Manalishi S, Osterc, Summit In Sight

(2) GREENSHOE continues to win effortlessly but that doesn’t mean the rest of these will lay down. Expect Osterc to push the pace with more zeal but in the end have no answer for the Melander pair in the homestretch.

Jeremey Day

Greenshoe, Green Manalishi S, Summit In Sight, Osterc

(2) GREENSHOE has been in a world of his own so far early in the year. He passed his first test on the 5/8ths mile track. So far it looks like he can only beat himself.

Derick Giwner

Greenshoe, Marseille, Summit In Sight, Green Manalishi S

There is absolutely no way to make a case for anyone winning this race other than (2) GREENSHOE. With a fair amount of early speed on the outside of the gate, I’m looking for a world record mile.

Bob Pandolfo

Greenshoe, Green Manalishi S, Osterc, Goes Down South

(2) GREENSHOE broke before or just after the start in all four of his races last year but so far this year he’s been a perfect gentleman and has won his three starts handily while looking like a potential champion.

Greg Reinhart

Greenshoe, Green Manalishi S, Summit In Sight, Osterc

I see absolutely no way to go against (2) GREENSHOE in the Beal Memorial. Hasn’t done a thing wrong this year, winning all his starts with ease and displaying none of the behavioral issues that plagued him a year ago.

Matt Rose

Greenshoe, Osterc, Green Manalishi S, Swandre The Giant

(2) GREENSHOE showed his immense talent at two, and has certainly backed that up with three flawless efforts in 2019. Top Hambo prospect will be a deserving short-priced favorite here.

Darin Zoccali

Greenshoe, Green Manalishi S, Summit In Sight, Osterc

There may be a race where I try to beat this potential monster, but it’s not here. (2) GREENSHOE is just a cut above this group right now. It would take something completely unforeseen, in my opinion, for Greenshoe to get beat here.