Prairie Panther pounces in Great Northeast event

Wilkes-Barre, PA — The Royal Millennium gelding Prairie Panther worked out a second-over trip then pounced on the leaders to record a 1:50 victory in a $30,000 event in the Great Northeast Open Series pacing event on Saturday night (Aug. 3) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Marcus Miller and Prairie Panther followed the cover of Proper One as favored Western Fame, who had taken the lead after a :26 opener, posted middle splits of :54.4 and 1:22. When Proper One faltered on the turn, Miller swung Prairie Panther wide, and they finished in overdrive to defeat Scott Rocks — who had utilized the Pocono Pike — by a half length. Western Fame finished third and series point leader Tiger Thompson N was fourth.

Michael Deters, who shares ownership with Laurie Lee Poulin, also trains Prairie Panther, a winner of more than half (31 for 61) of his lifetime starts.

Benji’s Best ran his winning streak to three — and stopped Atta Boy Dan’s at five — while equaling his lifetime mark of 1:50 in the $30,000-$40,000 claiming handicap pace. The Roll With Joe gelding stepped up to the top local claiming level and won by 1-1/4 lengths for driver Anthony Napolitano and trainer Daniel Maier, who shares ownership with Ameer Najor.

Though defeated on Saturday, Atta Boy Dan retained his popularity at the claiming box, being taken for $40,000 for his eighth straight start and being claimed in 11 of his 12 starts since coming in from The Meadows. He now goes to the barn of trainer Antonia Storer for the third time this meet.

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