Devonshire refuses, then comes back to win Pocono 20K final

Devonshire Hanover was hard to handle before and after his big moment on Tuesday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, but he was brilliant when it counted, winning the $43,200 final of the 20K Late Closer Pacing Series.

With Dan Dube doing the driving, Devonshire Hanover refused to turn toward the gate the first time the starter called. He got off to a bit of a slow start once the race got underway while Monet CC, who swept all three preliminary legs of the series, took the early lead and paced the opening quarter-mile in :26.3.

But Dube had his horse in gear around the first turn, and he took over the lead just short of the three-eighths-mile mark. Devonshire Hanover set blistering fractions at the next two markers, reaching the half in :54.1 and the three-quarters in 1:21.4.

At that point, his big margin allowed him to coast home in the stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths over late-rallying Hayon Hanover. Up Front Hanover picked up the show.

After the race, Devonshire Hanover zipped by the winner’s circle, practically taking a victory lap before Dube could get him in for his picture.

The 7-year-old gelding, owned by Laramar Stable of Oshweken, Ont., and trained by Nat Varty, earned his second win of the year and his 20th lifetime. Sired by Arturo, Devonshire Hanover has now earned over $160,000 in his career.

In other action on Tuesday, 2007 Pocono Trotter of the Year BJ’s Chinook picked up his first win of the year, upsetting an Open handicap trotting field for a win at 10-1.

The gelding, trained by Ross Croghan and driven by Eric Goodell, wore down pacesetter Snazzy Millie on the outside and held off closer Woody Woodrow to win by a half-length in 1:55.1. Woody Woodrow settled for second while Snazzy Millie held on for the show.

Conway Court, the 2-1 favorite and winner in this class the last two weeks at Pocono, made an early break and finished last.

BJ’s Chinook, a 5-year-old gelding sired by Muscles Yankee and owned by Brian Nixon of Centerport, N.Y., added the winner’s share of the $22,000 purse to his career earnings, which now are in excess of $222,000.

Later on in the day, a track record fell when Snazzy Hot Rod trotted to a conditioned win in 1:53.3, breaking the Pocono mark for 4-year-old stallions on the trot, previously set by Armbro Barrister in 2005.

Tim Tetrick did the driving for Snazzy Hot Rod, who is owned by Terry Devos of Langton, Ontario and trained by Chris Ryder. The shipper from Woodbine romped to a 5 1/4-length win in the race, the sixth victory of his career, to drive his career earnings over $157,000. (Pocono Downs)

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