WILKES-BARRE PA – In the $15,000 trotting feature on Monday at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, the Face Time Bourbon colt French Kronos couldn’t have had much of a harder trip early, but he then went on to the easiest of victories in a lifetime best of 1:53.2.
Starting from post six and outside a host of others showing early speed, Mattias Melander kept French Kronos out three-wide much of a :28.4 opener, then went on two-wide to command under the line the first time and kept going to fractions of :56.4 and 1:25. None of the opposition could stay with the powerful colt the rest of the way, with the winning margin 9½ lengths. Mattias’s brother Marcus conditions the winner of three out of four starts this year for Heights Stable, Mantorp LLC, RTL Racing Inc., and Holly Lane Stud East LTD.
It was a good day for drivers wearing (basically) red and white colors, as George Napolitano Jr. had three winners, while Matt Kakaley, Anthony Napolitano, and Ridge Warren each had driving doubles. “George Nap” and Kakaley are back in a tie at the top of the standings with 110 seasonal victories here.
The racing week at Pocono concludes Tuesday with a 1 p.m. card. The trotters and pacers return Saturday at 1 p.m., when there will be Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for Hambletonian-hopeful three-year-old trotting colts such as T C I and Security Protected, both first round PaSS winners. Free Pocono programs are available at www.phha.org.