Gate-to-wire for Fulsome at The Downs

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Fulsome (Betting Line) was a wire-to-wire winner in the $13,000 featured harness racing pace at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Tuesday afternoon, stopping the timer in 1:52.4.

Matt Kakaley went to the lead with Fulsome going towards a :27.1 quarter, then had hounding pressure from Frank Deford, who could find no hole and had to race on the outside throughout.

Middle splits of :56 and 1:23.3 ensued while those two argued for the lead, and it was only in the stretch that the victorious gelding could shake off that rival, then hold off the pocket sitting Stormy Beach by 1½ lengths, with Frank Deford lasting very well to claim third.

Joseph Eisenhower Sr. trains the winner for owner Spencer Goldin.

FULSOME REPLAY

There was a pair of $12,500 co-features on the trot. In the first, the Sebastian K S gelding Kaseville enjoyed a drop in company, making two speed moves and controlling the throttle throughout in a 1:54.4 victory, defeating favorite Chucky De Vie by 1¾ lengths. Jim Pantaleano drove the Tom Gummerson trainee for the ownership of Joseph Colacecco, Mary Gummerson, and James Mc Cormick.

In the other top trot, Mission Voyage (Manofmanymissions) was successful in his first mission for trainer Jennifer Bongiorno, taking a new lifetime mark of 1:54.2. George Napolitano Jr. sent the gelding right to the lead, increasing his advantage over most of the last half despite 26 days away from the races to wind up three lengths clear of closer Meadowbranch Ricky. JB Racing, Tar Heel Racing, Jordon Sklut, and Jason Bedell own the winner.

Solid contests for high-class pacers will top the offerings when Pocono races its weekend cards: Saturday at 1:30, with a $27,500 feature, and Sunday at 5:00, where fast females will contest a $25,000 purse.

For complete race results, click here.

From the PHHA/The Downs