from the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, in conjunction with The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono and Harrah’s Philadelphia

Wilkes-Barre, PA — The Great Northeast Open Series is back in action at the two eastern Pennsylvania tracks this weekend, with an open pacing event at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Saturday night (June 9) and an open trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia the next afternoon (June 10).

Saturday’s open pace at Pocono brings together four of the top five horses in the GNOS divisional standings, with the only double winner in the series to date, Rodeo Romeo, drawing the rail and being accorded 2-1 favoritism for driver Eric Carlson and trainer Chris Ryder. In his last start, Rodeo Romeo was third in the Commodore Barry Pace at Philadelphia, behind top 4-year-old Filibuster Hanover and the talented Australian import Heaven Rocks A.

Second in the GNOS standings, and parading second, will be Rockeyed Optimist, who has come to good recent form for trainer Jake Leamon, with Anthony Napolitano in the sulky behind the horse who has a first and a second in the competition.

The other two top five horses, Bettor’s Edge (No. 4) and Mach It So (No. 5), didn’t fare nearly as well at the post draw, getting the outside post seven and post six, respectively.

On Sunday afternoon at Philadelphia, the open trot has drawn a full field of nine. Accorded early favoritism from the rail is Such An Angel (driver George Napolitano Jr.), who comes off a lifetime best victory of 1:52.2. This will be the toughest field Such An Angel has ever faced, including millionaire Broadway Donna, a two-time divisional champion, and four other horses who have bankrolled more than $400,000 in their careers.

With points leader Agent Q and eight of the top dozen in the standings behind her, totaling six of the seven GNOS division winners so far, in Toronto this weekend in eliminations for next Saturday’s C$365,000 Roses Are Red Pace, the mare pacing event did not fill.