Sheer Brilliance parlayed a career-best mile into a win in the featured $20,000 Open Handicap Pace on Friday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
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Sheer Brilliance, driven by Sean Bier for trainer Jeffrey Long, left from post position No. 6 in an eight-horse field at 5-1. Bier immediately sent him to the outside, and he finally made the lead just shy of the three-eighths marker.
Despite covering the extra ground early and setting imposing fractions, the four-year-old gelding built his lead and stayed clear all the way to the wire, winning by two and a quarter lengths in 1:50.2. Andreoli Hanover finished second while John Adams rallied for third.
Sheer Brilliance, sired by Blissful Hall and owned by Jeffrey and J. Paul Long of Milford, Delaware, won for the third time in his last four starts. He now stands at five victories this year and 13 lifetime, and his career earnings now top $156,000.
(Pocono Downs)