Wilkes-Barre, PA — Driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Per Engblom put on a show during a marathon 18-race qualifying session at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Wednesday morning (March 19). Bartlett led the field home 10 times while Engblom harnessed eight winners, and they paired together for seven victories.
Many of the horses out for the morning races were 3-year-olds getting ready for the upcoming Bobby Weiss Series, including the fastest winning fillies for their respective gaits. Trainer Bruce Clarke took advantage of a pocket trip with trotter Tagalong then sprang in the stretch to win in 1:57. The Sweet Lou filly Sweet Odds was also a pocket rocket to lead her grouping with a 1:55.3 time for Bartlett, Engblom and Morrison Racing Stables.
The Weiss action starts a week from Saturday on March 29, and each of the four sophomore events will follow up three preliminary rounds with $50,000 finals.
On the colt side, another Sweet Lou offspring, the colt Mad River, closed in :27.2 to complete a 1:53.1 mile for Bartlett, Engblom and owner Daniel Sarafian.
Open-class pacers Desperate Man and A Rocknroll Star dueled in the last quarter in the quickest qualifier of the day, with millionaire Desperate Man catching his rival by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.1 for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Travis Alexander, and owner Kathy Cecchin.