from the PHHA/Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Rockstar Angel A established herself as a possible star in her first race since shipping from Australia, taking the $14,000 featured distaff pace on Tuesday (July 24) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 1:52.4 despite sloppy going.

A 16-time winner in 54 starts with a bankroll of $160,682 Down Under, Rockstar Angel A tucked fourth early for driver Brett Miller, who then had no hesitation to pull the favorite raw at the three-eighths to go frontward and challenge second choice Scandalicious on the lead. The Rocknroll Hanover mare grinded up while going her own last half in :55 over the off track, then found an even better gear and drew away from a close fight in early stretch to win by three lengths, all the while looking like she could go much more for trainer Chris Oakes and the Northfolk Racing Stable.

My Cousin Vinnie snapped a 46-race losing streak dating back to Oct. 30, 2016, overcoming a first-over journey for driver George Napolitano Jr. to win in 1:57.1. The 6-year-old Yankee Glide gelding defeated three older horses, three contemporaries, and two relative youths by 2-1/2 lengths for trainer Karen Fread and Fread Stables. My Cousin Vinnie wasn’t totally unproductive during his winless skein as he had four seconds and seven thirds, and earned $28,073 between victories.

Two $30,000 contests in the Great Northeast Open Series promise excellent racing at The Downs on Sunday evening. In the mares pace, Shartin N looks to rebound from a fourth-place finish in the Golden Girls Pace as she takes on Diva’s Image, who was a 31-1 upsetter in the Golden Girls, and Tequila Monday, a 1:49.4 winner in series competition last week at Harrah’s Philadelphia. In the open trot, Homicide Hunter is the likely choice as he looks to extend his current win streak of five, which includes three GNOS events.