Pond Jumper propelled into the winner’s circle
By Tara Spach
Social Media Coordinator
IaHHA
Rockme Socks Off started the week for Iowa Graduates on Monday (2/17) at Saratoga Harness. Leaving from the three-hole in race nine, Rockme Socks Off (Jim Devaux) sat third the entire mile. Pacing a last quarter in 31.2, Rockme Socks Off held on to third place, his mile in 1:58.1 for owner Wilda McDanel.
In race nine at The Meadows, DP Rocket put in a strong performance. On a mission from the seven-hole, DP Rocket (Jim Pantaleano) cut the fractions of 28.2, 58.2, 1:27.1. Still leading at the top of the stretch, DP Rocket was beaten by a head to finish second, mile in 1:57.3.
On Tuesday (2/18) at The Meadows, Wx Dontworryboutit took to the track from post position six in race ten. Driver Dave Palone was patient as the field left, sitting sixth to the quarter. Pulling to the outside, Wx Dontworryboutit steadily made up ground to finally find the rail as they turned for home. It was a stretch duel with Strong Coffee (Jim Pantaleano) but Wx Dontworryboutit put a head in front as they crossed the line, picking up the win in 1:59.0.
Jackpot Jessie (Jerry Kehm) hit the board in race thirteen. Covered at the rail, Jackpot Jessie managed to fight off challengers to secure third place, her mile in 1:59.2.
Over at Dover Downs, Hall of Fame driver Tim Tetrick picked up the lines to drive Pond Jumper in race four. As the gate folded, Pond Jumper settled into third from the five-hole. Tetrick, deciding that he had the best horse in the field, pulled before the half to take over. Not looking back, Pond Jumper trotted to victory, the mile in a blistering 1:54.2, last quarter 28.4.
Back to The Meadows on Wednesday (2/19), a pair of Iowa graduates competed in race six. Lo All America (Jeremy Indof) sat in the five-hole while Al-mar Humdinger (Brady Brown) drew the ten-hole. As the race car pulled away, Lo All America quickly fought to take the lead, while Al-mar Humdinger sat sixth. Bumper Hanover (Todd Schadel) put a head in front as they trotted to the three-quarter pole and it quickly became a free for all, as the finish line approached. Winning by a head, Lo All America trotted her mile in 1:59.1, last quarter in 29.4. Al-mar Humdinger battled it out to place second, her mile in 1:59.2.
Friday (2/21) at Cal-Expo, Marc Mellow Man picked up a good second in race three. After tracking the field from sixth, Marc Mellow Man (Braxten Boyd) poured it on with a last quarter of 27.0, beaten by a head, pacing his mile in 1:55.0.
In race ten, Bunkerhill Jill also had a good night. Leaving from the six-hole, Bunkerhill Jill (Lemoyne Svendsen) got away seventh, then was parked the majority of the mile. Pacing home in 28.1, BunkerhIll Jill got up for third, her mile in 1:56.4.
Lynn Bin Con Kin also picked up a third place check on Saturday (2/22) at Northfield Park. In race fifteen, Lynn Bin Con Kin (David Lake) despite drawing the two-hole, had traffic issues, being parked past the quarter to the three-quarter pole. As they turned for home, Lynn Bin Con Kin paced a last quarter in 31.0 to hit the board third, her mile in 1:57.3.
In the Gary Budahn Final Elimination at Cal-Expo, Iowa graduates dominated the field. Diamonds Are Trump (Jacob Fox) had the rail, Flash Me Baby (James Kennedy) the two-hole and Bertha Vanation (Nick Roland) the three. As the race started, this trio tracked the field from fifth, sixth and seventh. As they rounded the final turn, Flash Me Baby, Bertha Vanation and Diamonds Are Trump stretched out to battle for the line. Flash Me Baby crossed the line in 1:54.4, taking the victory for owners Rick Huffman and Larry Mather. Bertha Vanation placed second, her mile in 1:55.2, with Diamonds Are Trump rounding out the Iowa trifecta, third, her mile in 1:55.3.
Ending the week on Sunday (2/23) at The Downs At Mohegan Sun Pocono, Frisky Pedro (Geo. Napolitano Jr) also hit the board in race two. After leading from the half, Frisky paced his last quarter in 28.4, his mile in 1:54.4 for a third place finish.
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