WILKES-BARRE, PA – The annual Grey Ghost and Poltergeist Pace at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Tuesday night (with Halloween Wednesday being a dark day on the schedule) attracted two gray horses, a white horse, and two roans for its 2018 edition. Getting his picture taken after the race was the sophomore roan colt Marc Mellow Man, who shaved over six seconds off his mark by posting a 1:54 victory.
Marc Mellow Man, in rein to Tyler Buter, was the only horse not to put in a serious move in the first quarter of the race, which was reached in 26.1. The top was eventually claimed by 2-5 favorite Gypsy Leather, who cut middle fractions of 55.1 and 1:24.2 with White Rolls in behind him and $240,000 yearling purchase White Bliss on the outside pressing. Nearing the far turn Gotta Love Him moved outside and then three-wide off cover to join the main action.
All this time the victorious son of Marced Card sat last, and he still was out four lengths nearing midstretch. But the constant battling took its toll on his foes, and Marc Mellow Man had only to swing wide for Buter and pace a strong last 1/16 to win going away by ¾ of a length.
It was the 10th victory in the three-year-old's career, but his first at a pari-mutuel track, as owners Duane, Connie, and Roger Roland had raced him on their native Iowa fair circuit, then sent him east to trainer Rob Harmon – who all combined to with Marc Mellow Man at $46.00 as the longest shot on the board.
Top purse event during Tuesday's action at The Downs was a $17,500 pace for fillies and mares, and Eclipse Me N was back in comfortable environs, which she celebrated with a 1:51.3 victory. Having been on the road at Hoosier and Batavia recently, and having been beaten here against tougher stock than she faced on this night, the victorious daughter of Real Desire posted her third straight win at this conditioned level, overcoming a first-over journey to win by three lengths.
Simon Allard handled the winner of $185,119 for trainer/brother Rene and the ownership of Allard Racing Inc., Yves Sarrazin, and Donald Mac Rae.
From the PHHA/Pocono Downs