The Real Desire mare Eclipse Me N won for the fifth time in her last eight starts on the Tuesday (Aug. 27) twilight card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, defeating a strong group of mares in the $21,500 distaff pacing feature in 1:50.2.
After Bettorhaveanother passed the quarter in front in :27.2, Eclipse Me N and driver Simon Allard brushed to command and rated a relative breather to the :56 half. From there, Eclipse Me N hit a much higher gear, stepping home in :54.2 to defeat the first-over Divas Image by two lengths. The career winner of $292,944 is trained by the meet’s leading conditioner, Rene Allard, for Allard Racing Inc., Yves Sarrazin and Donald MacRae.
P L Ketchup was able to come out on the right side of a photo after finishing second four straight times, three of them by a half-length or less, winning a $15,000 conditioned trot in a lifetime mark of 1:54. The Kadabra gelding used pure speed in accomplishing the task, posting supersonic fractions of :26.3, :55.2 and 1:23.3 before holding off pocket rival Trixar by a neck. Pat Berry drove the winner for trainer Steven Brabrook and owner Jaypaul Hoover.
The track’s perennial leading driver, George Napolitano Jr., won five times on Tuesday. His brother, Anthony, accounted for the biggest win price of the night, overcoming post nine with Betabcool N by a nose and returned $50.80.
(with files from PHHA/Pocono)