New Zealand invader takes feature pace

WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Art Major gelding Belmont Major N upped his North American record to 2-for-3 with a well-earned, hard-fought 1:49.3 mile in the male pacer division of Tuesday’s tri-$15,300 features at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Tyler Buter got the 8-5 co-favorite away fourth from post seven, then went up uncovered down the backstretch to challenge pacesetter and co-favorite Cigar Smoking Tony, who had set early fractions of :27 and :55.1.

The two rivals were locked in a big battle to and past the 1:22.2 three-quarters, with Tell Them Lou and Im A Gigolo N entering the late picture to the left and right, respectively, but the photo came down to the chalk, and it showed Belmont Major N just the smallest bit more photogenic for trainer Hunter Oakes and owner Thaddeus Weir.

BELMONT MAJOR N REPLAY

In the distaff pace, driver Marcus Miller took his time guiding the Betting Line sophomore filly Milieu Hanover to the front, but once making the lead the filly was in firm control of her event, stepping home in :55.3 – :27.2 to be 1¼ lengths ahead of So Nice Hanover at the finish. Milieu Hanover, second to the streaking Blue Diamond Eyes in a Pennsylvania Sire Stake in her previous start, is trained by Nicholas DeVita for the ownership of DeVita Racing Stable Inc., David Hamm, and Christopher Giaccio.

MILIEU HANOVER REPLAY

The trotting feature was fronted by P L Notsonice, whom Renaldo Morales III guided to the lead past a :27.3 quarter, then notched fractions of :56.1 and 1:23.2 en route to the easiest of 1:52.3 victories. The Kadabra mare, an Ontario Sire Stakes winner, has two wins and two seconds in her last four starts and here boosted her earnings over $200,000 lifetime for trainer Dale Gilmour and the ownership of Gratitude First LLC.

P L NOTSONICE REPLAY

For full race results, click here.

From the PHHA/The Downs