Santafe's Coach wins at Pocono!
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (June 21, 2026) — Age is just a number for Santafe’s Coach. The 12-year-old gelding, trained by Joe Pavia Jr. and driven by Matt Kakaley, came from sixth to win an $8,500 pace at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania in 1:51.1, paying $14.20 as the 6.10-1 fourth choice.
Starting from post 5, he was sixth, 4¾ lengths back, at the first quarter (26.2) and the half (54.3), where Splash Brother was making the pace. Kakaley then moved him to the outside, shown by the bubble at the three-quarters (1:22.1), where he was third and 1½ lengths from the front. He took the lead by a head at the stretch call and won by 1¼ lengths with a last quarter in 29.0.
Rio, the 1.80-1 favorite, was second in 1:51.2, with Splash Brother third in 1:51.3. The $2 exacta (5-2) returned $51.60.
Santafe’s Coach, by Bettor’s Delight out of Thesantafe Express, was bred by Edward De Rosa and is owned by John Whitig, Michael Rich, Jeffrey Hess and Pint Size Racing LLC.
Watch the full race replay above, and see more winners from Pavia Racing Stable.
