Pocono: Whiskey Blu quickest in PA All-Stars action

Whiskey Blu continued his strong season with a life's-best 1:53 2/5 win in a $30,000 Pennsylvania All-Stars event for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Saturday afternoon at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Mister Boinga and Sunny Crockett won the program's other divisions.

Driven by Dan Charlino, Whiskey Blu pressed on two-wide to get the lead away from The Irishman (Matt Kakaley) after the 27 second opening quarter, then left out a parked Type A (Yannick Gingras) until after the 55 2/5 half. Type A remained in control to the 1:23 4/5 three-quarters and into the lane, but Charlino brought Whiskey Blu to the outside for the drive, and he had enough trot to chase down and overtake Type A late, prevailing by a head. Top Me Off (Andy Miller) was third.

Trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Kitefield Stable, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Whiskey Blu is a Southwind Frank gelding. Whiskey Blu, who was unraced as a 2-year-old, has a record of 10-2-0 from 12 efforts in 2021, and he pushed his earnings to $91,046. Whiskey Blu was sent off as the second choice and paid $4.60 to win.

Mister Boinga (Jason Bartlett) won his section in front-stepping fashion, clicking off panels of 27 4/5, 57, and 1:25 2/5 on his way to tallying by a length and a quarter in 1:54. Ceffyl Dwr (Jackie Ingrassia) crossed the wire in second but was placed seventh for causing interference to a first-over Capital T Storm (Simon Allard) when angling out at the top of the lane. That disqualification elevated Believer (Brian Sears) to second and Clancy's Bar (Eddie Dennis) to third.

A Bar Hopping gelding, Mister Boinga is trained by Jill Roland for owner/breeder Bernard O'Brien. This was Mister Boinga's fifth victory from 11 career starts, and he has now pocketed $59,620. He returned $5.40 to win.

Sunny Crockett (Andy Miller) was sent off at 3-5 in the last tilt, and he delivered. He made front after the 27 3/5 opening quarter, was well-rated through middle-half fractions of 56 4/5 and 1:25 3/5, then closed in 28 4/5 to score by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:54 2/5. Early leader Ethan T Hanover (Jason Bartlett) was next, followed by Inaminute Hanover (Bob McClure).

Julie Miller trains Sunny Crockett, a colt by Father Patrick, for owners Willow Oak Ranch and Andy Miller Stable Inc. Sunny Crockett is now an eight-time winner from 14 appearances, and he has put away $164,124. He paid $3.20 to win.