Midas Blue Chip kicked off the 2012 season at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with a bang on Tuesday night, winning the opening race of the campaign with a sizzling mile - the highlight of the 14-race program

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Driven by Jim Morrill, Jr., Midas Blue Chip overcame a three-wide journey around the first turn and smoking early fractions to hang on for a 1-1/4 length victory in 1:52. The four-year-old gelding from the Brian Seidel barn held off late charges from Ravenswood Reese, who finished second, and Willies Dragon, who grabbed the show spot.

The win by Midas Blue Chip also inaugurated the Bobby Weiss Series, which honours the longtime track superintendent at Pocono who retired in the offseason.

Tuesday’s racing featured five divisions of three- and four-year-old pacing colts and geldings, with each carrying a purse of $15,000. Other winners in the Weiss Series were Fearless Diablo in 1:52:4, Social Network in 1:51:4, Three Artist in 1:51:3 and Woodmere Ultimate in 1:52:4.

Tuesday night was the first of 136 racing cards scheduled for the season at Pocono. Racing in the early part of the season takes place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with post times of 6:30 p.m.

(Pocono Downs)