Wilkes-Barre, PA — The Bar Hopping gelding Bruha took the early lead in the $15,500 trotting feature Tuesday afternoon (March 10) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, yielded to fellow 6-5 shot Brother Love, then came back on up the Pocono Pike to record a 1:55.3 decision.
Melissa P closed well from far back but came up 1-1/2 lengths shy, with Brother Love another half length behind.
Bruha, who had $32 more wagered on him than the pacesetter, recorded his second victory of the year for driver George Napolitano Jr. and trainer Cote Keim, the later co-owner with Michelle Rickey.
The Bobby Weiss Series, four events divided by gait and sex that annually showcase 3-year-olds on their way to better things, takes place at Pocono in April, and some sophomores are already showing the form that will be needed to do well in the Weiss competition. One highly-regarded pacer who won Tuesday, the Captaintreacherous gelding Barrow, made two moves to overcome the outside post 8 and take a new mark of 1:51.3 for driver Bradley Chisholm, trainer Brett Pelling, and the ownership of Let It Ride Stables Inc., Morrison Racing Stables and Jesmeral Stable. Fillies eligible to the Weiss who broke their maiden Tuesday include the trotting filly Captainess Sawyer and the pacer Sweetloveofmine.
Three drivers recorded three victories Tuesday at Pocono, and among them the trio have won the last 16 dash titles at the mountain oval: Tyler Buter (the defending champion), Matt Kakaley (2011 and 2022-24), and George Napolitano Jr. (2010 and 2012-21). Two trainers posted doubles: Chelsey Faurot and Josue Garcia.
The next card at Pocono will be on Saturday (March 14) at 1 p.m.; it will feature the fastest local pacers in a $27,500 contest, and it will have a carryover into the Hi-5 wager, offered in the final race. Free Pocono program pages are or will be available at www.phha.org.