by PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — The stretch headwind/backstretch tailwind was a major factor during the Saturday night (March 31) racing at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono and so was the Mach Three gelding Awesomeness, who won the season’s first $25,000 handicap pace in 1:51.3.

The stiff breeze was helping leavers, as one was quickly reminded when The Wayfaring Man, Awesomeness, and Texas Terror N had little between them from one- to three-wide, respectively, in a corking :25.4 quarter. Awesomeness finally cleared to the top off the first turn, only to let Texas Terror N, limbed on the wide side during the hard opener, go by to command nearing the three-eighths.

The half was reached in :55, but soon thereafter Texas Terror N had to be back in high gear, as Blow A Cloud N blew up uncovered to challenge to a 1:22.1 three-quarter clocking; Awesomeness able to keep the hole closed behind the pacesetter.

Texas Terror N had his ground very gamely in the lane, but Awesomeness reeled him in inch-by-inch from the Pocono Pike to get the final advantage by a neck.

Jim Morrill Jr. had his fourth sulky success of the night behind the new member of the $250,000 club, who is trained by Brett Pelling for owner Martin Scharf.

Pocono will go at a special holiday 5 p.m. post time tomorrow, Easter Sunday, with opening round action in the $800,000 (est.) Weiss Pacing Series for the trotting males and pacing females sectors heading the racing action.