Pocono: Ben Franklin elims won by Western Fame, Lather Up

George Morton Levy Series winner Western Fame returned to stakes action on Saturday night for trainer Rene Allard and captured the first of two $35,000 elimination events for the Ben Franklin at The Downs at Mohegan Sun. The 6-year-old by Western Ideal scored in 1:48 1/5, the fastest victory of his career.

The action was hot and heavy early as This Is The Plan looped the field to the front, with Beckhams Z Tam along the inside working to protect position. Favored Highalator left as well, but after racing wide through the opening bend, elected to take back. That cleared the way for driver Dan Dube to march forward and secure the front in a 26 2/5 opening quarter with Western Fame. Dube got a soft half of 54 1/5, and when Highalator and driver Richard Still began a first-over assault on the backstretch the pace quickened, but Western Fame never felt pressure from the favorite, holding safely through a 1:21 three-quarters.

At headstretch it appeared that pocket-sitting This Is The Plan might have what it takes to surprise, but Dube went to work on Western Fame, and had plenty in reserve to finish with a 27 1/5 final quarter and the score. This Is The Plan held for second, with Beckhams Z Tam and Duplicated coming up the inside for third and fourth, respectively. Dealt A Winner finished fifth.

In a wicked second elimination heat, Lather Up turned back McWicked's bid and held off a strong-closing Springsteen for the victory in 1:50 1/5 for driver Montrell Teague.

Miso Fast blasted out of the gate quickly for command, but Teague and Lather Up were quick to regain the front at the 26 4/5 opening quarter. With no movement, Teague deftly backed the half down to 56 1/5, getting an apparent edge heading for the final-half. Brian Sears sent favored McWicked on a long coverless assault, and last year's Horse Of The Year put the pressure on the lead through three-quarters in 1:23 3/5 and by late on the final turn appeared to have the pace-setter dispatched.

Appearances quickly changed once in the homestretch, though, as Lather Up's final turn speed shifted radically in the stretch, with the 4-year-old by Im Gorgeous finding another gear and sprinting in 26 3/5 to the wire. Springsteen rallied gamely late for the place spot, with McWicked holding on to third gamely. Miso Fast edged inside for fourth, with Dorsoduro Hanover holding fifth and qualifying for the June 29 $500,000 final in the process.

Clyde Francis trains Lather Up, now a winner four times in six tries in 2019. Lather Up returned $7.40 to win.

In other action for older pacing males on the card, Battle Of Lake Erie champion None Bettor (Dexter Dunn) scored his seventh straight win, taking this week's leg of the Great Northeast Open Series for that division in 1:49 2/5. He led much of the way and repelled a stern passing lane attack from 62-1 Havefaithinme (Anthony Napolitano) to win by a neck, with Courtly Choice (David Miller) third. Jenn Bongiorno trains the victorious Australian import by Bettor's Delight for owners Joe P Racing LLC. and Oldford Racing LLC.