Wilkes-Barre, PA — Belmont Major N upped his North American record to two-for-three with a well-earned, hard-fought 1:49.3 mile in Tuesday’s (Aug. 3) $15,300 co-feature for male pacers at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Belmont Major N (#7) nosed out Cigar Smoking Tony (#5) at Pocono Tuesday. Curtis Salonick photo.

Tyler Buter got the 8-5 co-favorite away fourth from post seven, then advanced uncovered up the backstretch to challenge pacesetter and co-favorite Cigar Smoking Tony, who had set early fractions of :27 and :55.1. The two rivals were locked in a big battle past the 1:22.2 three-quarters, and a photo finish showed Art Major gelding Belmont Major N narrowly victorious for trainer Hunter Oakes and owner Thaddeus Weir.

In the co-featured distaff pace, driver Marcus Miller took his time guiding Milieu Hanover to the front, but once making the lead the filly was in firm control of her event, stepping home in :27.2 to be 1-1/4 lengths ahead of So Nice Hanover at the finish in 1:52. The 3-year-old Betting Line filly, who finished second to the streaking Blue Diamond Eyes in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes in her previous start, is trained by Nicholas DeVita for the ownership of DeVita Racing Stable Inc., David Hamm and Christopher Giaccio.

The trotting co-feature was fronted by P L Notsonice, whom Renaldo Morales III guided to the lead past a :27.3 quarter, then notched fractions of :56.1 and 1:23.2 en route to the easiest of 1:52.3 victories. The Kadabra mare, an Ontario Sires Stakes winner, has two wins and two seconds in her last four starts for trainer Dale Gilmour and the ownership of Gratitude First LLC, and boosted her career earnings over $200,000.