by Jim Beviglia, Publicity Assistant, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Smashingpringipisa won the Tiger-Phil final, sweeping the Late Closer series and breaking a track record at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Tuesday afternoon.

Yannick Gingras drove the 5-year-old mare, trained by Mickey Burke, to the win in 1:51.4. The previous mark for aged pacing mares at Pocono, which was shared by Female Champs, Nanny Withafanny, and A Very Nice Horse, stood at 1:52.1.

Armbro Bombay set a blistering pace, while Smashingpringipisa found cover on the back stretch as she moved into 3^rd. At the top of the stretch Gingras had a clear path on the outside and gunned the mare forward, holding off Ellen Hanover, also trained by Burke, by three-quarters of a length. Vital Flyte finished third.

Smashingpringipisa picked up her fourth consecutive win, including three straight in the Tiger-Phil series. She is owned by Sylvia Burke of Fredericktown, Pa. and M1 Stable of Bethel, Pa.

In another Late Closer series final held on Tuesday, Meteor Man worked out a great trip and flew up the passing lane to pull off an upset in the Duke-North Carolina final. Joe Pavia, Jr. did the driving for trainer Chris Oakes and owner Sam Dalia of Tinton Falls, NJ, guiding Meteor Man, a 12-1 long shot, to a win in 1:53.1. Four Starzzzz Opus finished second and Kat’s Torpedo was third.

The Tiger-Phil and Duke-North Carolina series are a part of the Great Rivalries Late Closer series being held at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.