by James Beviglia, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Quality Western cemented his status as 2007 Pacer of the Year at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with a win in an Open Handicap Pace on Saturday afternoon, November 17, the final day of the 2007 meet at Pocono.

Racehorsephoto.com photo

Quality Western holds off Up Front Jerry in the Open Handicap Pace.

Quality Western paced to the win in 1:51.1 with Tim Tetrick, the meet’s leading driver, in the bike. The win was especially satisfying because of the competition he defeated. Up Front Jerry, who set the track record for fastest pace ever with a 1:49.1 mile in October, finished second and Tivoli Hanover, the 3-year-old of the year in 2007, finished third.

Richard Johnson trains Quality Western for owners D’Elegance Stable IX, TLP Stable, Carmen Iannacone and George Giamrino. The 7-year-old stallion, who was sired by Western Hanover, won for the tenth time this year and the eighth time in Open company in the 2007 meet at Pocono.

There were 10 races on the day as Pocono closed out its 42nd racing season. The 2008 season is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2008.