by John Zimich, publicity director, Pocono Downs

Skydancer Hanover, one of the top standardbreds in North America, will be making his second appearance at The Downs at Pocono (Home of Pocono Downs harness racing) Saturday night (July 9).

Trained by Mark Harder and driven by George Napolitano, Jr., Skydancer Hanover will be competing in one of three divisions of the W. N. Reynolds Memorial Stake for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

The three-year-old Western Hanover colt, owned by Pocono Downs trainer Chris Oakes and George Alter and William Kenyon II, both of New York, won the $162,696 Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace this past May 22 at Pocono Downs.

That mile was recorded in 1:51.

Skydancer Hanover has won six of eight starts this season and more than $398,494. The sophomore pacer has drawn the six post for the race as Grand Circuit Week opens at the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack.

Leaving alongside Skydancer Hanover from the seven post will be JK Royal Flush, who finished second in a June 26 New Jersey Sire Stake race with a time of 1:49.2. Dave Palone is scheduled to drive JK Royal Flush, trained by Linda Toscano.

Third Straight holds the track mark at Pocono Downs, recording a 1:50.1 mile on July 27, 2002. The 1:50.1 clocking also equaled a world mark for a three-year-old pacing colt on a five-eighths mile track.