by John Zimich, publicity director, Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — George Napolitano, Jr., the leading driver-trainer at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs over the past several years, hasn’t skipped a beat judging from the qualifying races held thus far at the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack.

After winning all of the five qualifiers on Tuesday (March 20), Napolitano came back to win four of the five qualifying races on Thursday morning (March 22).

One of his wins came with Dream Possession, an Open Handicap Pacer, with a time of 1:53.1 over a fast track. It was a wire-to-wire winning effort, getting to the opening quarter in :27.1, half in :56.1 and third split in 1:24.3 before traversing the last quarter in :28.3.

David Sabatelli, driving Ataboy Eric in the opening race on Thursday morning, was victorious with his trotter in a time of 2:00.2.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will conduct qualifying races next Tuesday and Thursday mornings before opening the 2007 harness racing season on Saturday, March 31, with a 2:00 p.m. post. Live racing will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons through November 17.