Awesomeness, brushing to control following a battle for the lead by the quarter, advanced to a 1:51.3 victory in the $25,000 Open Pace on Saturday, March 31 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Leaving for the top were The Wayfaring Man, Awesomeness and Texas Terror N, contesting for the lead spanned three wide through a :25.4 opening quarter. Awesomeness cleared control shortly before sitting the pocket to Texas Terror N, who circled to the lead moving into the second turn.
Texas Terror N hit the half in :55 and was soon under pressure from Blow A Cloud N from first over. Dueling to three-quarters in 1:22.3, Texas Terror N turned away his challenger and turned into the stretch with the lead. Awesomeness, drafting in the pocket, dove to the passing lane and gradually reeled in the leader, taking a neck advantage at the line to claim the feature.
Jim Morrill Jr. piloted the earner of over $250,000 career for trainer Brett Pelling and owner Martin Scharf.
Pocono will go at a special holiday 5 p.m. post time Easter Sunday, April 1 with opening round action in the Weiss Series for the trotting males and pacing females heading the racing action.
(With files from The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono)