Vlos overpowered the field racing on the front end to win the featured Open Handicap Pace on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
. The race carried the night’s top purse of $25,000.
Leaving from post position No. 6 in a field of eight, Vlos, trained by Eric Mollor, was sent to the front by driver George Napolitano Jr. early, then watched as both Riggins and Golden Receiver went by him. He surged again in the front stretch to take the lead around the second turn and stayed clear of the pack from that point. The six-year-old stallion, owned by Nancy Spaziani of Washington Township, New Jersey, finished in front by 4-1/4 lengths in a time of 1:49.1, matching a career-best in one of the fastest miles at Pocono this season. Golden Receiver finished second while Drive All Night came on for third.
Vlos, who was sired by Dragon Again, won for the second time in three Opens at Pocono since arriving from the Meadowlands. He has won seven of 20 races in 2010, and his 13th career victory pushed his career earnings over $167,000.
(Pocono Downs)