River Shark used a pocket trip and the inside passing lane to get up for the victory in Saturday night’s featured pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

The race, which was a condition for winners of over $25,000 lifetime, carried a purse of $25,000.

River Shark, who had been facing top pacers at Yonkers and The Meadowlands recently and was made the 9-5 betting favourite from the No. 7 post, left early before ceding the lead to Fred And Ginger. Those two stayed first and second all the way until the stretch before driver George Napolitano Jr. took River Shark inside to get up to beat Fred And Ginger by a half-length in 1:49.3. Dancin Yankee finished third.

River Shark, a six-year-old gelding trained by Mark Ford and sired by Four Starzzz Shark, won for the seventh time in 20 2012 races. The victory was the 28th of his career and gave him lifetime earnings of $911,777.

(With files from Pocono Downs)