g>Wilkes-Barre, PA — The Bobby Weiss Series, a traditional launching pad for young talent named after the man who developed the racetrack at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono into one of the most popular surfaces in the world, opened its 2019 campaign during the Monday (April 1) twilight card, with all three first-round winners posting lifetime bests.

The fastest was the Sportswriter mare Cardiff, who added Lasix and stopped the timer in 1:53. Simon Allard got early position in the :26.3 first quarter, then brushed to the lead well before a :55.3 half. Cardiff kept right on rolling, passing three-quarters in 1:24.2 and then widening her lead to 3-3/4 lengths over Sewonandsewforth for trainer Rene Allard and the partnership of Allard Racing Inc. and Carmen Carson.

The roan American Ideal mare Ghosttothepost made two speed moves, got to the half in :57.1, and then sprinted home in :56.3 to be a clear 1:53.4 winner in her Weiss division. Brian Malone conditions the striking mare for owner Peter Paul Venturini.

The sole 3-year-old winner in the first Weiss leg for this group was the Art Major filly Ashlee Sparkles, who made every pole a winning more in 1:54.2 under the guidance of George Napolitano Jr. McCoolen gave valiant chase from the pocket but was 1-1/4 lengths in arrears of the winner, who is conditioned by Blake MacIntosh. McIntosh also shares ownership with Hutt Racing Stable, Jacqueline Tierney and the Mortgage Boys Stable.

Weiss Series Action will continue on the 4 p.m. Tuesday (April 2) Pocono card, with trotting fillies and mares sharing the spotlight in four divisions of their first-round action.