Earl Beal, Jr. Eliminations Contested at Pocono Downs

Corky & David Miller

by Frank & Ray Cotolo

(H) denotes Hambletonian eligible
  
The elims for the Earl Beal, Jr. final offered three strong fields packed with soph-colt eligibles at Pocono on June 22. Each split was worth $25,000. 

The Jimmy Takter-trained Dontyouforgetit (H-Cantab Hall) remained in a groove since his stride became smooth and he won his third straight. Fooling no bettors this time he paid only $4.80, shaving a neck off the finish in 1:52.1f over Possessed Fashion (H-Donato Hanover). Celebrity Maserati (H-Andover Hall) cut the mile and finished third once caught. 

Dontyouforgetit wins an Earl Beal, Jr. elim

Our choice, Aperfectyankee (H-Yankee Glide) broke at the half and finished last. Solveig’s Racing Partners own Dontyouforgetit. 

Takter’s Corky (H-Muscles Yankee) went wire to wire in the second elim for owners Christina Takter, John Fielding and Jim Fielding, winning in 1:52.4f. 

This is his second straight win, having taken an Historic event at Tioga. David Miller drove Corky, winning over Royalty For Life (H-RC Royalty) and Crystal Phenom (H-Broadway Hall) and paying $5.80. 

Our choice, Banco Solo (H-Master Glide) finished fourth. In round three, Smilin Eli (H-Muscles Yankee) proved to anyone still with a question that he is serious about the “Trail” by taking over early from post 8 and going wire to wire in 1:52.3 with little effort. 

Tim Tetrick drove the Nicholas Cimino-owned, Deshawn Minor-trained colt. At 78-1, Fico (H-Credit Winner) was a game second and Picture This got third. 

Our choices, My Man Can (H-Cantab Hall) and High Bridge (H-Cantab Hall) finished off the board. Smilin Eli paid $3.40.