The Sombeachsomewhere mare Lyons River Pride held off foes to both sides during a :27 last quarter to lower her mark with a 1:50 mile while winning the $17,500 feature for distaff pacers during the Tuesday, Sept. 17 card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Simon Allard hustled the winner of $331,271 to the lead mid-first turn, with Medusa defending the pocket and forcing favourite Divas Image into the three-hole. Lyons River Pride took the field through fractions of :26.2, :55 and 1:23 with Divas Image pulling to the outside nearing three-quarters and Medusa joining that pair in the Pocono Pike through the lane.
Any of the three battlers seemed to have a chance, but Lyons River Pride proved the best by a neck over Divas Image, with Medusa just another neck back in third. Simon’s brother Rene, the meet’s leading trainer, conditions the winner for Geoffrey Lyons Mound. Simon had four winners on the card, three of them his brother’s trainees.
A $14,000 co-feature for distaff pacers saw the recent Australian import Imprincessgemma A run her U.S. record to two-for-three with an authoritative score in 1:51.3, her North American best. George Napolitano Jr. sent the daughter of Village Jolt to the lead after the quarter, then brought her home in :55.2/:27.1 for trainer Jennifer Bongiorno and the ownership of Joseph Bongiorno, Jennifer Bongiorno Stable, Steve Manzi, and Wish Me Luck Stables.
In a $15,000 trot, the Muscle Mass gelding Conman Crown overcame the outermost starting spot to record his second straight victory, here in 1:56.1. Eric Carlson guided the winner as he trotted past pacesetting favorite Trix Are For Kids late to win by a length for trainer Rob Harmon and Pine Hill Stables.
(PHHA/Pocono)