Beyond The Lens proved picture-perfect in his first start for owner/trainer Arthur Jones, going wire-to-wire in taking the $15,000 trotting feature at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Monday afternoon.
Jim Pantaleano sent the Angus Hall gelding straight to the lead, and after a :27.3 opener they were able to get a breather to the :58 half. Approaching the 1:26.1 three-quarters, favourites By A Hoff Hanover and Muscle Dynasty began to narrow in, but Pantaleano kept his charge alive to the wire, stopping the timer at 1:56, just a fifth short of the horse’s lifetime best, set at Rideau Carleton last year. Muscle Dynasty was second, a neck behind Beyond The Lens and 1-1/4 lengths ahead of By A Hoff Hanover.
Braxten Boyd, Matt Kakaley, Anthony Napolitano, and Åke Svanstedt all posted driving doubles; Svanstedt also trains both of his successful steers.
The racing week concludes on Tuesday afternoon, a card with a 1:30 p.m. post time.
(PHHA/Pocono)