by James Beviglia, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Lucky Bettor completed a sweep of the Ali-Frazier Late Closer Pacing Series with a win in the $35,600 final on Tuesday afternoon (November 6) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

With Tom Jackson in the bike, Lucky Bettor, who went off as a 3-1 second choice despite winning each of his three preliminary legs, sat fourth early on as Dealing Magic, the 3-5 favorite, assumed the early lead. Lucky Bettor made his move first-over at the half, and pulled even with Dealing Magic on the backstretch. The two stayed side-by-side until the stretch, when Dealing Magic began to give way.

But Lucky Bettor still had to hold off a late challenge from a fast-closing Wild Artist, who drew to within a length, but came up short. Lucky Bettor tripped the wire in 1:54.2, with Wild Artist second and Dealing Magic third.

The 3-year-old gelding by Bettor’s Delight now has eight wins in 28 career races, all this year, and his earnings are now closing in on $90,000. Alex Kavoleff trains for owner Laurie Molnar of Colts Neck, N.J.

In the Affirmed-Alydar final for pacing mares, which carried a purse of $38,450, Bolero Toki held off a hard-charging Tu Tu Twain to win in 1:53.

Driver Daniel Dube got Bolero Toki, the 3-1 third choice, to the lead shortly before the three-eighth-mile mark. Tu Tu Twain launched his move on the backstretch and drew to within a head as the wire approached, but Bolero Toki sustained and won in 1:53. Kurahaupo Diamond was further back in third, while L Dees Rosemel, the 7-5 favorite, struggled home in eighth.

Bolero Toki, a 4-year-old mare by Western Hanover, won for the fifth time in 2007 and 15th time in 42 races in her career. Nat Varty does the training for owner Yves Sarrazin of Quebec. The win pushes Bolero Toki’s career earnings to over $270,000.