Pocono's Undercard Invitationals Result to be World’s Best

WILKES-BARRE, PA— Filling in on the undercard of Super Stakes Saturday at Pocono Downs were three Invitationals, each going for $50,000. An Invitational was contested for the Mare Pacers, Open Trotters and Open Pacers. All three Invitationals resulted in World Record performances.

Drop The Ball crushed her division again, off of a win in the Lady Liberty, coasting around the Pocono oval to win her Invitational in 1:48.2, breaking the mark held by Southwind Tempo and Camille.

Fashion Mystery secured the lead from the rail, with Camille getting away in second and Hula’s Z Tam in third. Krispy Apple was pacing in fourth and Drop The Ball was parked in fifth looking for a spot. Fashion Mystery led by the quarter in :26.2. Drop The Ball was unable to find a pocket and was forced to move towards the front. Camille pulled out of the pocket and supplied her cover at three-eighths. Camille cleared the lead but Drop The Ball was close to dictating the terms at the half in :54.1 (:27.4).

Drop The Ball cleared the lead as they entered the backstretch. Camille sat in second while Krispy Apple progressed first over into third. Feeling You was tracking her cover, but began to gap at three-quarters in 1:21.2 (:27.1).

Drop The Ball began to get separation at the top of the stretch. Camille was giving chase in second, Fashion Mystery was pacing into third and Krispy Apple was trying to hold onto fourth. Drop The Ball was a clear winner in the midst of the stretch and she went on to stop the clock in 1:48.2, setting a world record for mare pacers. Camille was second, Fashion Mystery was third and Krispy Apple finished fourth.

Drop The Ball ($2.60) is a five-year-old mare pacer by Western Terror, out of the mare Mattcheck Girl by Matt’s Scooter. She is owned by Let It Ride Stables, Dana Parham and Robert Cooper Stables, trained by Ross Croghan and Corey Callahan guided the mare to a 1:48.2 world record effort.

Wishing Stone continued the World Record-streak, rating the middle part of the mile and keeping all closers at bay to win the Open Trot Invitational in 1:51.2.

Wishing Stone took the lead, with Sevruga sitting in the pocket and Uncle Peter getting away third. Market Share was trotting in fourth at the quarter in :26.4. Heading to the clubhouse turn, Market Share was the first one to make a move, going first over after Wishing Stone. Yannick Gingras rated the half, giving Wishing Stone a breather in :56.2 (:29.3).

Market Share inched his way toward Wishing Stone down the backstretch. Arch Madness took to the outside to track his cover. Sevruga remained in the pocket behind leader Wishing Stone at three-quarters in 1:23.3 (:27.1).

Wishing Stone turned away his challengers at the top of the stretch, drawing away by 2 lengths. Sevruga moved into second and Market Share was trotting in third, but Wishing Stone was home free to pull off an upset. Sevruga finished second, Market Share was third and Uncle Peter held on for fourth.

Wishing Stone ($18.60) is a six-year-old horse by Conway Hall, out of the mare Meadowbranch Magic by Valley Victory. He is owned by Cowboyland Aalborg, T L P Stable, Jerry and Theresa Silva Stables and Deo Volente Farms, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras was the pilot to a world record of 1:51.2, beating Varenne’s 1:51.3 mark set in Finland.

A Rocknroll Dance who, courtesy of fractions set by Hurrikane Kingcole, swept by his competition to score in a world record-equaling 1:47.4 in the final of the three Invitationals.

Hurrikane Kingcole dashed to the front, with Dynamic Youth moving with him in second and Abelard Hanover was in third. Dynamic Youth went off stride as Hurrikane Kingcole passed by the quarter pole in :25.2. Golden Receiver made an attempt to challenge Hurrikane Kingcole to the half, otherwise there was no change in order. Hurrikane Kingcole kept his speed consistent at the half in :53.1 (:27.4).

Golden Receiver retreated from his bid entering the backstretch. Hurrikane Kingcole was left alone on the lead heading to three-quarters. Pet Rock was flushed first over by A Rocknroll Dance from fourth. Sweet Lou ended up third over in that flow while Hurrikane Kingcole paced by three-quarters in 1:20.3 (:27.2).

Hurrikane Kingcole was enveloped by the closers at the head of the lane. Pet Rock swept by him to take a short lead. A Rocknroll Dance was making his move down the center of the course, as was Sweet Lou. A Rocknroll Dance was flying by and got up by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:47.4. Pet Rock was second, Sweet Lou was third and Abelard Hanover settled for fourth.

A Rocknroll Dance ($10.00) is a four-year-old horse by Rocknroll Hanover, out of the mare Wichita Hanover by Cam’s Card Shark. He is owned by A Rocknroll Dance Stable, trained by Jim Mulinix and Tim Tetrick was the pilot, steering A Rocknroll Dance to a lifetime mark of 1:47.4.