by John Zimich, publicity director, Pocono Downs
Longshot West Coast Arturo and Artbitration captured the two elimination races of the James M. Lynch Memorial Pace for three-year-old fillies Saturday night at The Downs at Pocono.
On a sloppy track and with a light rain falling throughout the night, Mike Simons piloted West Coast Arturo to a 1:53.3 victory from the two post. The time is a new lifetime mark for the three-year-old Arturo filly trained by Dan Altmeyer and owned by the latter and Jacob Ramsburg of Thurmont, Md.
This was the fourth win in 11 starts this season for West Coast Arturo, who was fourth or fifth throughout the race before closing in 29 seconds for the victory. West Coast Arturo paid $93.40, $30 and $7.80 across the board.
Second in this elimination race was Wilma Hall (Joe Pavia, Jr.) with third going to LT’s Magic (Jim Taggart, Jr.). Fourth was Whatsupcuz, driven by Howard Parker, Jr.
Honest Ironstone (Dean Zaimes) also made next week’s nine-horse field by finishing fifth and having the fastest time of 1:54.3.
Trained by Norm Parker and driven by Patrick Berry, Artbitration stopped the timer in 1:55. This three-year-old Artscape filly is owned by Parker and Thomas Klosky, Jr., Canonsburg, Pa. Artbitration paid $3, $3.20 and $2.40 across the board.
Second in the second elimination race was JK Matchmaker (Pavia, Jr.) with third going to Character Counts (Simons). Fourth was Romance Me, piloted by Sean Bier.
Top four finishers in each of the divisions along with Honest Ironstone will battle for the $114,176 purse Saturday, June 12.
Artbitration now has won three of six starts this season and three straight. Artbitration went wire-to-wire from the six hole, winning by a neck over JK Matchmaker.