Pocono: Unreasonable matches track record in Mohegan Cup

Unreasonable won the inaugural $75,000 Mohegan Cup for free-for-all pacing mares Sunday evening at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, tying Somwherovrarainbow's 12-year-old track record for 4-year-old pacing mares with a powerful front-end victory in 1:48. That clocking is also the Pocono standard for females of any age.

The early rush for prime racing position necessitated Unreasonable to zoom up four-wide to take the lead, with the 1-2 favorite looping three inside rivals, including second choice (6-5) Louies Girl N. The latter pressed on three- then two-wide in hopes of getting a spot near the leader, but with 75-1 shot Front Page Story taking full advantage of track geometry from the rail and maintaining the pocket, Louies Girl N had to back off to third in the wicked 25 2/5 opener.

Just before the 54 1/5 half, 40-1 Champagne Room (the tote board co-third choice!) started an uncovered move that put pressure on Unreasonable, forcing her to reach the three quarters in 1:21. The former's big raw brush ended on the far turn, and with Front Page Story gapping a bit in the pocket and Louies Girl N locked behind her, Unreasonable was able to maintain a clear advantage with the mildest of coaxing - and the third quarter of 27 seconds or less she paced in the race. Louies Girl N was able to find belated clearance deep in the Pocono Pike to take second, 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner and a half-length ahead of longshot Front Page Story, who in turn preserved third in a photo with fellow longshot The Last Martini.

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A daughter of Huntsville, Unreasonable had certainly been showing top form coming to Pocono, with two photo losses to Twin B Joe Fresh preceded by a third to Miki And Minnie in the best stakes company North America had to offer. In the Mohegan Cup (named after the Connecticut-based Native American tribe who operates Pocono), Unreasonable showed she can step with the very best of her division as she boosted her bankroll to $237,369 this year and $939,003 lifetime for the powerful combine of trainer Andrew Harris and Punisher 11 Stable LLC.

Matt Kakaley had three driving victories to take honors on the Sunday card. Ake Svanstedt guided two winners, both of whom he trained; Brad Chisholm drove two winners, both of whom are trained by Brett Pelling.

Racing will be held on Monday at Pocono at 1 p.m. (EDT), with the feature a $21,000 trot for the veteran fast-class performers.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--