Elysium Lindy, let go at 21-1 despite a win and two seconds in the first three preliminary legs of the Bobby Weiss Series for trotting males at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, overhauled 1-5 favourite Celebrity Bugatti in the shadow of the wire to post a 1:55.1 win in one of two $15,000 divisions of the fourth and final preliminary round for this group Tuesday night.
In the other division, Magenta Man was on his best behaviour and posted a 1:56.1 victory.
Celebrity Bugatti came into Monday’s race having gone a perfect 3-for-3 to date in the Weiss, and in mid-stretch he looked ready to complete a sweep of the prelims. But the Cantab Hall sophomore gelding Elysium Lindy had another idea, being moved outside from third late on the final turn by driver Jim Marshall III, and then kicking into overdrive in the last 1/16 to get a head decision while lowering his lifetime mark, posted in a Weiss event last week, by a tick.
Donna Marshall trains the developing youngster for owner George Beck.
Magenta Man had finished second to Celebrity Bugatti in a Weiss cut last week after making a break in his only other start in the series, but this week all systems were “go” as the four-year-old altered son of Muscles Yankee, bet down to 3-5 favouritism, was put on the lead and held off a spirited late charge by Explosive Yankee to post the win by three-quarters of a length. “Magenta” and “orange” may not be two colors you often see together, but for driver Andy Miller and trainer Julie Miller (collectively known as “Team Orange Crush”), along with owners Little E LLC and RBH Ventures Inc., the sight of Magenta and Orange in the Pocono winners circle after next Monday’s $30,000 Weiss Series Championship would be beautiful indeed.
Despite tonight’s upset, Celebrity Bugatti was still the #1 prelim point winner for this group; behind him in line in qualifying for their Championship are Elysium Lindy, Dominus Hanover, Steed, Taxed To The Max, Explosive Leggs, Magenta Man, and (tied) Sweet Royalty and Dominion Beach.
The $30,000 Weiss Championship for trotting distaffs headlines the Tuesday night card at The Downs. Stirling Debutant will likely be a heavy favourite from post three for driver Anthony Napolitano and trainer Steve Salerno after sweeping her four prelims, and her task was made easier by the fact that the Todd Schadel duo of South Side Hanover and Real Caviar, #2 and #3 in the prelim point standings with five prelim victories between them, were not dropped in for the Championship. They will reportedly be heading to The Meadows Saturday afternoon for the 2016 debut of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action in a three-year-old trotting filly event, to be drawn tomorrow.