by John Zimich, Publicity Director, Mohegan Sun at Pocono

The 13th start of the year wasn’t unlucky for Quality Western as the 7-year-old stallion won the $20,000 open pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Saturday afternoon (April 14).

Coming into the featured race of the afternoon at the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack Quality Western had been 0-12 on the year but facing stiff competition at the Meadowlands.

But Quality Western, driven by John Wagner and trained by Richard Johnson, hung tough throughout the mile, going first over after the opening panel and challenging Bobnoxious (Tom Jackson). Opening quarter was registered in 27.1 and half in 54.4.
The front-runner quickly started to fade and Quality Western took over the lead, winning in 1:51.2 with Super Eighty Eight (Joe Pavia Jr.) second and Dream Possession (George Napolitano Jr.) third.

The 1:51.2 is the fastest time of the young meet through nine days and was equaled in the very next race when Machete, with Jim Taggart, Jr., in the bike, also winning in 1:51.2. James McGuire trains this 4-year-old Arturo stallion, a winner of 3 of 10 starts this season.