by John Zimich, publicity director, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Under sunny skies and seasonable temperatures, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs held its second qualifying races of the 2010 season on Tuesday (March 16) morning.

Jim Morrill, Jr., last year’s leading percentage driver, picked up where he left off in 2009 as he won his initial qualifying race of the season. He drove Witch Is Bettor, trained by Robert Horowitz, to a win in 1:57.3 from the two post in Race 3 of 11 scheduled races.

On the trotting side, McKelvie, piloted by Billy Dobson, also won from the two hole in Race 2 with a clocking of 2:00.2. Other trotting victors were Big Sky Domino, also reined by Dobson with a time of 1:59.3, and Greathallofchina with Donald Wiest driving. The latter trotter’s time was 2:01.4.

Qualifying standards were 2:01 for pacers and 2:03 for trotters with 3-year-olds getting a one second allowance.

There will be one more qualifying session on Thursday morning (March 18) before the 136-day live harness racing meet opens Tuesday night (March 23) with a post of 6:30 p.m.

Racing will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights through May 31. After that, Monday nights will be added for the months of June, July and August, replacing Friday nights.