Highalator recorded his 20th victory career in just 42 starts lifetime taking the $30,000 open pace division of the Great Northeast Open Series at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Saturday, Aug. 4 in 1:51.1.
Eric Carlson sent the son of Somebeachsomewhere towards the lead but then yielded to series-pointleader Rodeo Romeo past the :26.4 quarter. Rodeo Romeo put up middle fractions of :55.3 and 1:23.3 and had shaken first-over Rockeyed Optimist before headstretch.
Carlson tipped Highalator outside in the lane and the horse went by for a length victory over slight-favourite Bettors Edge. Rodeo Romeo settled for third another neck back.
Jenny Bier trains Highalator, a winner of $259,218, for herself, Joann Dombeck and Midsize Construction Inc.. The victory vaulted him to fifth in the Great Northeast pointstandings for the $100,000 Championship. Open pacers, open trotters and mare pacers will all have a six-figure Championship event over one-and-one-quarter miles at the Downs on Sunday, Sept. 2, the same night as the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championships for three-year-olds.
The Mach Three gelding The Real One tied his lifetime mark in the $21,500 co-featured pace. Trainer-driver Pat Lachance moved The Real One uncovered at the half and the winner of $984,453 sprinted home in :53.3 to win by three lengths in 1:50. He competes for owner Helene Fillion.
Pennsylvania-sired two-year-old pacing fillies take over the focus of attention at The Downs the next two days with second round action in Pennsylvania Sires Stakes. Undefeated season’s record-holder for five-eighths mile tracks Warrawee Ubeaut tops a host of talented fillies, many of whom trained by Ron Burke, in four divisions of Sires Stakes competition on Sunday, Aug. 5 with six Stallion Series sections spotlighted on Monday, Aug. 6.
(With files from The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono)