Southwestern Dream made his first start at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs a memorable one, winning the featured $30,000 Open Handicap Pace on Friday night

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Leaving from the outside post in a field of six as the 4-5 favourite, Southwestern Dream, shipping in from Chester with Tom Jackson in the bike for trainer Bruce Saunders, grabbed the lead just shy of the 3/8-mile marker and never relinquished it, winning by a length in 1:50.2. Sky Tantrum finished second and Drive All Night got third.

Southwestern Dream, a four-year-old gelding sired by Cambest and owned by Frank Bellino of Bronxville, New York, won for the 10th time in 28 starts in 2009. The victory, the 19th of the gelding’s career, pushes his earnings over $492,000.

Pick 7 Jackpot Grows To $95,278.08

The Pick 7 jackpot at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs grew to $95,278.08 as no one was able to correctly select all seven winners of the races involved Friday night.

The wager, with a minimum bet of $2, requires the bettor to select all seven winners of races six through 12. For the past 37 racing days no one has been able to correctly select all seven winners on those race dates.

There are consolation winners each night when no one is able to pick the seven winners. The six of seven consolation payoff Friday night was $87.80.

(With files from Pocono Downs)