The Easter Sunday twilight card April 1 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono was headlined by the first preliminary round of the Bobby Weiss Series, with three $15,000 divisions for both trotting males and pacing females on the program.
In the trot action, Meadowbranch Ricky kicked off the card with a 1:57.2 victory, moving to command after the quarter and going on to post a lifetime best. The Muscle Massive sophomore colt is trained by Jenny Melander for owner Hans Enggren.
George Napolitano Jr. placed the Cantab Hall gelding Chas Hanover on the back of heavily favored pacesetter Law Of Attraction in the next division, then rallied late to post a half-length upset, lowering his mark to 1:56.2. Chas Hanover is now two for two since entering the barn of trainer/owner Gilbert Garcia-Herrera.
The Muscle Hill four-year-old stallion Presidente Zette claimed victory in the third cut for males in 1:57.1. Jim Pantaleano sat behind the three-time winner this season for owner-trainer Cozette McAvoy, overcoming a first-over trip to post a neck victory over Stormont Manpower.
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In the mare pacing action, the Rock N Roll Heaven filly Kimberlee, steered by Jim Marohn Jr., won the fastest division, doing so in a personal-best 1:53.3. Marohn hustled Kimberlee, trained by Åke Svanstedt for Kuntsson Trotting Inc. and Asa Sbojerg, away swiftly to take a bit of early sting out of favoured Line Dancer. Kimberlee then sat behind a duel between Line Dancer and first-over Carly Girl until the top of the stretch, with Kimberlee ducking to the passing lane to win by a head over Carly Girl.
Also taking lifetime best in Weiss female action was the Somebeachsomewhere filly Miss Hill, who won in her season debut in 1:54.4. Miss Hill won under the guidance of Anthony Napolitano for new trainer Bruce Clarke, who co-owns with Patricia Waldeck and John Coffey.
Unnreal, a sophomore daughter of Real Artist, stamped herself as one to watch in Weiss action as she shook off the effects of a 25-day layoff and a first-over trip to hold off the horse who tailed her, Sweetest Devotion, by a neck in 1:55.1. Simon Allard guided the winner for trainer John Wagenhoffer and Beaver Creek Farm LTD.
Racing continues on Tuesday, April 3 at Pocono, with first round action in the Weiss Series for the female trotting set going in three $15,000 divisions.
(With files from The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono)