Highalator triumphs in Great Northeast Series

by PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes Barre-PA — Highalator recorded his 20th career victory in just 42 lifetime starts as the son of Somebeachsomewhere took the $30,000 open pace division of the Great Northeast Open Series at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Saturday night (Aug.4) in 1:51.1.

Eric Carlson got the winner of $259,218 away quickest of all, then yielded to series pointleader Rodeo Romeo past the :26.4 quarter. Rodeo Romeo put up pedestrian middle fractions of :55.3 and 1:23.3 and had shaken off first-over Rockeyed Optimist before headstretch.

But Highalator was full of pace when Carlson tipped him outside in the lane and the horse went by for a length victory over slight favorite Bettor’s Edge, who had clear sailing in the Pocono Pike when the winner moved a path right; Rodeo Romeo had to settle for third, another neck back.

For Highalator trainer by Jenny Bier for herself, Joann Dombeck, and Midsize Construction Inc., the victory vaulted him to fifth in the Great Northeast pointstandings and greatly increased his chances of eligibility for the $100,000 championship – the open pacers, open trotters, and mare pacers will all have a six-figure championship event over 1-1/4miles at the Downs on Sunday (Sept. 2), the same night as the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championships for 3-year-olds.

The Mach Three gelding The Real One is enjoying a rich patch of form, and his win in the $21,500 co-featured pace may have been the best of all those good races. Trainer/driver Pat Lachance moved The Real One uncovered at the half, and the winner of $984,453 streaked home in :53.3 to win by three easy lengths while tying his lifetime mark of 1:50. As good as this pacer is right now for owners Helene Fillion, it shouldn’t be long until The Real One crosses over to seven-figure lifetime bankroll territory.

Pennsylvania-sired 2-year-old pacing fillies take over the focus of attention at The Downs the next two days with second round action in their respective series. Undefeated season’s recordholder for five-eighths mile tracks (1:52.1) Warrawee Ubeaut tops a host of talented fillies, many of whom trained by Ron Burke, in four divisions of Sire Stakes competition on Sunday, with six Stallion Series sections spotlighted on Monday.

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