Wilkes-Barre, PA — A rare Åke Svanstedt-trained pacer, the Rock N Roll Heaven mare Kimberlee, sat off very hot fractions before sweeping to victory in the $17,500 featured distaff pace during the Tuesday (Oct. 29) twilight card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Shes Pukka N used the rail to gain the early advantage, keeping the favorite Eclipse Me N parked well past the :26 quarter to almost the three-eighths. At that point, Medusa, who also left and was parked with cover, advanced to gain command before the hot :54.1 half.

Tell Me A Joke came up first-over to challenge Medusa for the lead through and past three-quarters in 1:22, with Kimberlee towed up second-over. All of the horses who had been involved with the quick pace understandably tired a bit, leaving Kimberlee with a clear path to pace to a 1:50.3 victory, a neck ahead of Tell Me A Joke. Marcus Miller, who led all drivers with four wins on the card, drove the 10-time winner for Knutsson Trotting Inc.

Though she came up shy in her first start in 26 days, Eclipse Me N earned a place in the winner’s circle after Kimberlee, as the Real Desire mare was honored as Pocono’s Mare of the Year. Eclipse Me N performed honorably against national-class mares in the Great Northeast Open Series, missing only a half length in the final. In top-level overnight events, she was a high-percentage winner, equaling the 1:48.2 world record for older mares on a five-eighths-mile track and an upset win over Breeders Crown champion Caviart Ally. The Allard brothers, driver Simon and trainer Rene, were among others on hand to accept the award for the connections of the winner of $314,269, who is owned by Allard Racing Inc., Yves Sarrazin and Donald MacRae.

Only five cards remain in the 2019 racing season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. In November, the track will race only on Saturdays and Tuesdays through closing night, Nov. 16.