Golden Receiver led much of the way and sustained despite a blistering pace to win the featured Open Pace on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
. The race was the first Open Pace of the 2011 meet, and carried the night’s top purse of $25,000.
Leaving from post position No. 8 in a field of nine as the 2-5 favourite, Golden Receiver was sent for the lead early by driver Ron Pierce. The six-year-old gelding from the barn of trainer Mark Harder briefly yielded the lead at the quarter, then took it back from Delivered From Zin at the 3/8-mile marker.
Despite setting tough fractions, Golden Receiver still led into the stretch and withstood a late challenge from Drop Red, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.4, the fastest time paced at Pocono so far in the 2011 meet. Drop Red settled for second while Arduous finished third.
It was the second straight win for Golden Receiver, sired by Village Jove, with the previous win coming at The Meadowlands. He now has three wins in seven starts this year and 30 lifetime victories, with career earnings topping $440,000.
(Pocono Downs)