from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre PA — The favorites used different methods in the two $15,000 divisions of the first round of the Bobby Weiss Series for trotting females on Wednesday night (March 25) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, but both ended up in the desired positions — home first, and then in the winner’s circle.

Curtis Salonick photo

Dress For Success won her division in a time of 1:57.1.

Classic Belisima headed right to the front in her division and was never headed, winning by almost seven lengths in a career best 1:55.2 despite the track being rated only “good.” David Miller was sulky-sitting behind the daughter of Crazed, who now has six wins in eight seasonal starts for trainer John Cabot and owner William Cantrell.

In the other Weiss section, Dress For Success had to travel the difficult two-wide route without cover, but she proved to have enough late to turn back Linda Marie by a half-length in 1:57.1. Matt Kakaley, handling the daughter of Infinitif for the first time, obviously got along well with her by getting the job done for trainer Christopher Freck and owners Stacey Ruddick and Denise Dennis.

Four-time defending Downs dash winning driver champion George Napolitano Jr. visited victory lane six times on Wednesday’s 13-race card. He will next get a chance to add to his local totals when the Downs resumes racing on Saturday, with the first race scheduled for 6:30 p.m.