Modern Family eked out his first Pocono Downs victory when he prevailed in a thrilling four-horse finish in the featured $25,000 Preferred Handicap Trot on Saturday night at Pocono Downs.

Modern Family, a runner-up in last weekend's Preferred, edged out Blacktuxwhitesocks (Jim Morrill Jr.) by a nose in 1:52.2 with the season-debuting Uncle Peter (Jimmy Takter) a neck behind and Tui (Anthony Napolitano) half a length back in fourth. Last week's winner and this week's favourite Tall Cotton (Matt Kakaley) finished over three lengths behind in fifth.

Modern Family grabbed the early lead before Uncle Peter forged his way to the front during a :26.4 flashy first panel. But Tall Cotton powered up on the outside to take over the top spot as the field headed to the clubhouse turn and he hit the half-mile mark in :55.2. Down the backstretch, Tall Cotton was confronted by the first over Blacktuxwhitesocks, who edged ahead past the 1:23.3 third quarter station. Meanwhile, Uncle Peter moved back out for more with Modern Family in pursuit and fanning wide before out-sprinting them all to the wire. Modern Family paid $8 to win as the 3-1 third choice.

The four-year-old son of Cantab Hall is owned by trainer-driver Daryl Bier, Charles Dombeck, and Richard Poillucci. He has earned just over half of his $139,399 bankroll this year with six wins and two seconds from nine starts.