from the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, in conjunction with The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono and Harrah’s Philadelphia
Chester, PA — The Great Northeast Open Series continues this weekend, with open pacers at Harrah’s Philadelphia in the afternoon Sunday (July 1) and mare pacers at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono at night.
For the first time in the GNOS’ two-month run, the open trot did not fill.
Both races will go for the series’ customary $30,000 purse.
For the afternoon event in Philadelphia, Emeritus Maximus was accorded 3-1 morning line favoritism off a giant mile at the riverside oval last Sunday, where he tucked, came again first-over, and still went on to a 1:49 victory. The career winner of $573,953 will be starting from post four in the field of seven for trainer Kyle Moore and driver Andy Miller.
Rockeyed Optimist is the third-highest point winner in this GNOS division so far including a May 12 victory, but he’ll have his work cut out for him here, starting from the outermost post for trainer Jake Leamon and driver Brett Miller. On the other side of the starting gate is Robbie Burns N, who had won his first three U.S. starts at Harrah’s before finally tasting defeat at The Meadowlands, though he was timed in 1:49.3 and beaten less than three lengths; he’ll look to rebound for trainer Joshua Parker and driver Corey Callahan.
In the evening’s mare pace at Pocono, the three entrants who have won in the series have been made the morning line choices — in inverse proportion to their post position. The 5-2 favorite is Tequila Monday, who begins on the outside of the field of eight for driver George Napolitano Jr. and trainer Hunter Oakes. The winner of $669,888 won her only start in the GNOS here on June 3, going in 1:51 over a track rated two seconds off.
L A Delight, a 1:50.3 GNOS winner at Philadelphia on May 27, comes in off a third in the Roses Are Red final at Woodbine Mohawk Park; she’ll begin from post six for trainer Nancy Johansson and driver Yannick Gingras.
Caviart Ally, who was a $72.20 upset winner at Harrah’s last week, will start from the rail for trainer Noel Daley and driver Andrew McCarthy.