Pocono: Shake That House stars in Max C. Hempt Memorial final

8-1 shot Shake That House showed his 1:49 elimination victory a week ago was no accident, ripping out of the two-hole in the lane and rolling to a convincing 1:49 2/5 victory in the $500,000 of the Max C. Hempt Memorial for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

With Brian Sears calling the shots in the bike for trainer Chris Oakes, Shake That House worked into the lead around Hurrikane Emperor (Daniel Dube) passing the 26 2/5 opening quarter, but then was overtaken and put in the pocket by elimination winner Captain Victorious (Yannick Gingras) beyond that marker. Captain Victorious faced no immediate pressure after clearing, and that allowed Gingras to steal a half in just 55 1/5.

The action heated up in the backstretch the final time as Hurrikane Emperor made a second move out of third, coming first-over hard at Captain Victorious, but Captain Victorious was able to repel that move to the 1:21 4/5 three-quarters, with Hurrikane Emperor then getting rough-gaited on the far turn. Heavily-favored Proof (David Miller) was also struggling on the rim from second-over, gapping the cover and never able to get involved.

All the while that battle between Captain Victorious and Hurrikane Emperor was going on, Shake That House was just biding his time in the two-hole, waiting for a chance to pounce, and in the lane he was absolutely full of pace after Sears angled him out two-wide. He blew by a winded Captain Victorious, then poured it on, winning by two lengths. Brassy Hanover (Corey Callahan) rallied from seventh to second at 45-1, and Captain Victorious faded to third. Aflame Hanover (Andrew McCarthy) also closed for fourth, followed by Hurrikane Emperor.

"It was a perfect trip. I was playing it by ear, just trying to get forwardly-placed and see what happens," said Sears. "He got out of there on the right foot, but he got a little steppy the first couple steps out of the gate because we were smoking out of there so much, but it worked out. Chris did a great job with him. The horse has really been on his game, so congratulations to everybody involved.

"This horse has been knocking at the door racing against some good horses. He had a bad week up in Canada, had a good trip in the (North America Cup) elimination but didn't pan out. I think he cleaned him up because he was a little sick and raced awesome the last two weeks."

Crawford Farms Racing, Alan Johnston, and Northfork Racing Stable own Shake That House, an American Ideal colt. He made his eighth appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now put away $410,903. He returned $19.40 to win.

"We came here to win this race," remarked Oakes. "I can't say enough really about my crew. They worked all day and night for the last week, and we got the job done. I was just glad I put Brian Sears down to drive him because once you hand the lines off you want the right guy in the bike. When the money's on the line, that's the man.

"He's going to get an easy day out in my field, running around eating grass and chilling out. I'll talk to Al and Michelle (Crawford) and we'll figure (his next race) out from there."

In a $75,000 consolation event for the Hempt, trainer Tony Alagna swept the trifecta, with Captain Trevor (McCarthy) winning in 1:50 1/5 over stablemates Odds On Boca Raton (Dexter Dunn) and Escapetothebeach (Gingras).