Aracache Hanover toughed it out on the front end to beat an exceptional group of pacers in the $25,000 featured Preferred Pace on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Leaving from post position No. 7 in a field of eight as the 9-5 favourite, Aracache Hanover (Dragon Again-Armbro Cachet), a seven-year-old stallion from the Ron Burke barn, grabbed the pocket around the first turn behind Golden Receiver and then took over the lead on the front stretch. From there, driver Matt Kakaley and Aracache Hanover had to deal with first-over pressure from Digital Z Tam, who kept coming after the leader right to the very end. Still, Aracache Hanover prevailed by a nose in 1:49. P H Supercam finished third.

Owned by William Switala and James Martin, Aracache Hanover was following up a win at The Meadowlands and now has three wins in 14 races this season. It was his 30th lifetime victory, pushing his career earnings to $1,675,575.

(With files from Pocono Downs)