Pocono: Rich And Miserable keeps winning streak alive

Rich And Miserable defeated the toughest field he has faced during his current six-race win streak, taking a $30,000 Great Northeast Open Series trot in 1:51 3/5 on a “sloppy” surface at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Muscle Diamond was first to the top, with Such An Angel and Moonshiner Hanover falling in behind him before the 27 second quarter. Rich And Miserable, an Explosive Matter gelding, was moved from fourth by Tyler Buter, a four-time winner Sunday at Pocono, shortly off the first turn, but was extended a bit before clearing to the lead just before the 55 second half.

Such An Angel and Matt Kakaley came back out to challenge down the backstretch, and those two had their own private duel from the five-eighths past the 1:23 1/5 three-quarters and on through the stretch, with Rich And Miserable able to go on for a neck advantage at the wire. Muscle Diamond was another 3 3/4 lengths back in third; 3-2 favorite Homicide Hunter, who won the Breeders Crown in sloppy conditions at Pocono last fall, trailed most of the way and could do no better than sixth.

The 1:51 3/5 clocking in the off conditions matched three previous accomplishments of 9-5 second choice Rich And Miserable – his own lifetime mark, the fastest trot mile of the year at Pocono, and the North American season’s record. Todd Buter trains the dramatically-improved 4-year-old for Buter Farm Inc., Lynette Buter, and William and Carol Fuhs.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--