WILKES-BARRE, PA – In the $17,500 distaff harness racing pacing feature Tuesday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, the Real Desire mare Eclipse Me N looked to be in trouble while still midpack as pacesetter Betabcool N got a Sta-Puf soft half of 58, but her strong late rally got her to the wire first by a neck in 1:53.
Betabcool N put Keystone Riptide in behind her earlier, and the easy 28.2 quarter surprised some – then the timer flashed 58 to the half, about the Pocono norm for "nw 3" trotters.
Simon Allard had moved Eclipse Me N into second-up position behind favored Princess Fabulosa and gained to the 1:25.1 3/4, then swung wide late on the turn and continued to gain, just edging the pacesetter on the money, with Princess Fabulosa holding for third.
Simon's brother Rene trains the winner of $149,369, who came her personal last half in a crackling 54.1, for Allard Racing Inc., Yves Sarrazin, and Donald MacRae.
His namesake in the squared circle usually struck with lightning efficiency before getting the decision, but the equine Goldberg proved to be more a power grinder as the freshman took his purse debut in 1:54.3.
The son of Mr Wiggles – Chausettes Blanche (who unfortunately died while carrying a full brother to Goldberg) was put in second-over position by owner/driver Montrell Teague before the walking 59.2 half, waited until midturn to tip off his fast-moving cover, then finished out his own last half in 54.4 to win by 1¾ lengths without urging.
Brenda Teague trains the promising youngster, and she and her brother George certainly remember another two-year-old from the stable who broke his maiden at Pocono – a horse you may have heard of named Wiggle It Jiggleit.
From the PHHA/Pocono Downs