Upfrontstrikesgold survived a long first over journey to win the final and complete a sweep of the Bobby Weiss Series for three and four-year-old trotters on Friday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
. The race carried a purse of $30,000.
Upfrontstrikesgold, who won both preliminary legs of the series, left as the 2-1 favourite from the inside post in a field of nine. With Tyler Buter in the bike for trainer Mark Ford, the four-year-old gelding by Striking Sahbra settled fourth early on as P L Eureka came up from the outside to take the lead at the quarter in :27-seconds flat.
Buter tipped his charge out first over around the clubhouse turn to begin his long trip to the front.P L Eureka cut out the half on his own in :55.4, but when he reached the three-quarter-pole in 1:24.3, the favourite was right alongside of him. Upfrontstrikesgold pushed by in the stretch to win by one and a quarter lengths in 1:54.3, a new career-best. House On Fire came on for second while All Munky Business rallied for the show.
Upfrontstrikesgold, owned by Ed Mullinax, won for the fifth time in seven races in 2012. He now has six career wins and lifetime earnings of $49,940.
The Bobby Weiss Series, which also held finals on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, was held in honour of Pocono’s longtime track superintendent who retired following the 2011 meet.
(With files from Pocono Downs)