The Great Northeast Open Series will continue this weekend, as open pacers will clash at Harrah’s Philadelphia in the afternoon and mare pacers will square off at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in the evening.

Both races will feature the series’ customary $30,000 purse. For the first time in the GNOS’s two-month run, the open trot did not fill.

For the afternoon event in Philly, Emeritus Maximus has been accorded 3-1 morning line favouritism off of 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 start from Post 4 in the field of seven for trainer Kyle Moore and driver Andy Miller.

Rockeyed Optimist is the third-highest pointwinner in this GNOS division so far, including a May 12 victory, but he’ll have his work cut out for him, as he is set to start from the outermost post for trainer Jake Leamon and driver Brett Miller. On the other side of the starting gate will be 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 that have won in the series have been made the morning line choices – in inverse proportion to their post position. The 5-2 early favourite is Tequila Monday, who will begin 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 at Pocono on June 3, as she paced in 1:51 over a track rated two seconds off.

L A Delight, a 1:50.3 GNOS winner at Philly on May 27, will head into her assignment off of a third-place finish in the Roses Are Red at Mohawk. She’ll begin from Post 6 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.

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