Riley Rose nips rivals in the bud at Pocono

Riley Rose, a 6-year-old Real Artist mare trained and driven by Sean Bier, turned in her second straight impressive effort Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. She came out on top in the winners over $25,000 lifetime handicap pace for fillies and mares, winning by a neck over Nip N Attack, driven by Jim Morrill Jr. with a time of 1:50.3. In her only other 2009 start at the Northeastern Pennsylvania five-eighths mile oval Riley Rose won in 1:51.1.

“I didn’t want to get away third,” said Bier, who left from the number four post with Nip N Attack leaving from the six hole.

Riley Rose battled Nip N Attack for the early lead with the opening split being timed in :26.2 before the latter took over with the half registered in :54.4 with the two horses in front of the field. Don’t Deny Me (Jason Bartlett) joined the two front runners at the three-quarter pole and the battle was on coming down the stretch before Riley Rose won by a neck over Nip N Attack with Don’t Deny Me third.

“Things worked out well for us in this race,” further offered Bier. “We beat some tough horses. I’m going to give Riley Rose a week off so she can get fresh. Hopefully, she’ll come out of this race sound.”

Matt Romano, who only drove in two races Wednesday night, brought two longshots to the winner’s circle. He won with 24-1 Beretta Hall in the 13th race for $30,000 claiming horses, colts and geldings, and came back in the first half of the late Daily Double with 148-1 Puttin On The Charm. That win came from the eight post and the winning horse paid $299.60, $83.80 and $21.40.

This was the trotter Puttin On The Charm’s second lifetime win in 55 starts. The 5-year-old gelding trotted the mile in 1:57.4. Beretta Hall, a classy 7-year-old stallion, won in 1:52 to boost his earnings to almost $420,000. (Pocono Downs)

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