by John Zimich, publicity director, Pocono Downs

Overflow crowds turned out Saturday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs to witness Go Flyin N capture the Selma Gordon Memorial Pace, a $9,500 open pace for fillies and mares. It was opening day of the 2006 harness meet.

With Tom Jackson in the sulky, Go Flyin N came flying up the passing lane to beat Vital Flyte (Mike Simons) with the timer reading 1:54.4.

Pocono Downs photo

The Selman Gordon Memorial Pace went to Go Flyin N, driven by Tom Jackson.

This was the second win in six starts in 2006 for the seven-year-old Sands A Flyin mare owned by Lester Walls and Jack Upchurch, both of Maryland.

Afternoon racing is being introduced to the fans in Northeastern Pennsylvania for the initial time in the history of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The 2:30 p.m. post will be adhered to on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through June 11 after which Sundays will be “dark.”

Jackson also had another win in the third race with Optimist N, trained by Carmine Fusco, and owned by Melissa Beckwith of Howell, N.J. Optimist N won for the fifth time in 13 starts this season and crossed the finish line in 1:54.1.

The new simulcast facility, which opened March 13, again was enthusiastically received, as was the redone clubhouse.