Regil Elektra rallied from far back early to pull off a major upset in the $35,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares on Friday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
Leaving from post position three in a field of eight, Regil Elektra (Mach Three-Top Time Notcher), a four-year-old mare from the barn of trainer Monte Gelrod, got away seventh as a battle for the lead produced devastating early fractions. Driver Joe Pavia, Jr. set the mare in motion third-over on the back stretch as the outer flow moved up on tiring pacesetter Drop The Ball.
In the stretch, Regil Elektra spun out four wide and powered home in a career-best 1:50:3, holding off fellow longshot Spirit Of Desire by three-quarters of a length. Camille finished third, while Yagonnakissmeornot, the 2-1 favourite fresh off big wins at in Ohio and Kentucky, struggled to finish seventh.
Regil Elektra, owned by Fred Monteleone Stables, won for the fifth time in 23 2014 races. It was her 17th career victory, pushing her lifetime earnings to $356,191.
(Pocono Downs)