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

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Fancy Filly, Feeling You and Ruffle’s Kiss won James M. Lynch Memorial Stake elimination races on Saturday (May 29) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, but Pilgrims Toner and Brighten Up stole the show.

Pilgrims Toner, trained by Frank Catalfamo and driven by Brian Sears, equaled the world record of 1:48.2 in winning the $24,000 Open Handicap Pace.

The 1:48.2 clocking also equaled the fastest mile ever paced at the Northeastern Pennsylvania five-eighths-mile track. Shadow Play, at the time a 3-year-old colt, won an Adios elimination race in 1:48.2 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on August 8, 2008 with David Miller in the bike. Shadow Play and Miller also won the Adios a week later at the track that hosted the event while construction of a new racino was taking place at the Meadows.

Pilgrims Toner tied the mark for an older pacing gelding on a five-eighths-mile track owned by Fake Denario N with Tony Morgan in the bike and set in 2008 at Harrah’s Chester.

OK Braveheart, driven by Jim Morrill, Jr., took the seven-horse field to the opening panel in :26.2 before Sears came first up near the three-eighths pole. OK Braveheart still led at the half with Pilgrims Toner inching closer. It was just past the half that Pilgrims Toner assumed the lead for good, getting to the three-quarters in 1:21 and drawing away from the rest of the field.

Second went to Four Trumps A (Larry Stalbaum), seven lengths back, with third place going to OK Braveheart.

Pilgrims Toner, a 6-year-old gelding, is owned by Joseph Spezio, Patrick Daley, Robert Mills and trainer Frank Catalfamo. This was the ninth win in 19 starts this season for Pilgrims Toner.

Also on Saturday, Brighten Up produced the second fastest trotting mile in the history of the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack. Driven, trained and owned by Joe Pavia, Jr., Brighten Up stopped the timer in 1:52.1 to establish a new older mare trotting record for the five-eighths-mile oval. The time was just a tick off equaling the fastest trot ever of Macho Lindy (Larry Stalbaum), set June 23, 2008.

The 5-year-old trotting mare, also owned by Paul Molter, was on the front end for the entire mile, leaving from the six hole in the six horse field and getting to the opening split in :27.3, the half in :55.3 and the three-quarters in 1:23.2. The race was for $25,000-$30,000 claiming trotters.

Brighten Up went off stride a short distance from the wire but had a several length lead at the time. The mare survived an inquiry.

“I wasn’t concerned with any records and I grabbed her near the wire and she broke,” said Pavia after the race. “I probably could have gone faster.”

A field of nine is set for the $250,000 Lynch final next Saturday.

It will include Fancy Filly, Feeling You, Ruffle’s Kiss, Sammy’s Magic Girl, A And Gs Princess, Native Doll, No Bad Luck, Sand Windsor and All Heart Gal.

Felling You, a Lynch supplemental entry of $15,000, won her sixth straight race with a 1:51.1 time, beating Native Doll by 1-3/4 lengths. She’s undefeated at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and is now four-for-four here. She was driven by Jim Morrill, Jr. and is trained by George Berkner.

Fancy Filly, trained by George Teague, Jr. and driven by Brian Sears, also won in 1:51.1 and is two-for-two in 2010.

Ruffle’s Kiss, trained and driven by Pavia, was also a Lynch elimination winner with a time of 1:51.4. She’s now won two straight on the season.