Three-year-old fillies and four-year-old pacing mares were in the spotlight Tuesday at Pocono Downs as the oval hosted three divisions of the Bobby Weiss Series, with each tilt offering a purse of $15,000.
R Journey Together survived a tough trip to win the opening division by a head in 1:54.1 for driver George Napolitano, Jr. and trainer Lou Pena. She hauled down tempo-setter and the eventual runner-up, Shutthefrontdoor, in the closing strides. Race favourite Cinamony was a lapped-on third.
The 7-1 upset tally for the four-year-old daughter of Western Ideal R Xample represented her first win of the season. The five-time winner is owned by A Piece Of The Action LLC of Culver City, California.
Envious Hanover broke into the win column for the second time this season thanks to her 1:54 triumph in the next division for the team of driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Ron Burke. She zipped the field through intervals of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:26 before slipping home in :28 to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Fashion Fluzzy. Third prize went to Carlina Hanover.
Sent off as the 4-5 choice, the four-year-old daughter of Western Ideal-Eicarls Olvidar pushed her earnings over $50,000 while finding her way to victory lane for the sixth time in her career. She is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino and Larry Karr.
Sweet Charity won in going-away fashion in the final division for driver Andy McCarthy and trainer Aaron Lambert. The three-year-old daughter of Art Major-Fool For You took over command in the third quarter and stepped home in :28.1 to win by 3-1/2 lengths over Prima Dragon in 1:53.3. Millers Bird came on strong to finish third.
It was a maiden-breaking score for the lightly-raced lass who is owned by J And T Silva Stables LLC and Kenneth Tucci. Her share of the loot pushed her overall cash stash in excess of $20,000.