Golden Receiver parlayed a pocket trip to a come-from-behind victory in Saturday night’s featured Open Handicap Pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
. The race carried the night’s top purse of $25,000.
Leaving from post position No. 6 in a field of seven as the 8-5 betting favourite, Golden Receiver, a five-year-old gelding from the Mark Harder barn, gunned to the early lead and then relented to Vlos, winner in this class in his previous two starts, just shy of the 3/8-mile marker. The gelding kept the pocket trip until the stretch, when driver Joe Pavia Jr. sent him up the passing lane to nip Vlos by a neck in 1:50. Tyrant Hanover finished third.
Golden Receiver, sired by Village Jove, won for the 10th time in 30 2010 starts. It was also his 24th lifetime win, with the winner’s share of the purse pushing his career earnings over $338,000.
In other action on Saturday night at Pocono, Mega Lightning captured a $20,000 Open Handicap Pace for three and four-year-old colts and geldings. The four-year-old gelding from the Lou Pena barn gunned to a front-running win with George Napolitano Jr. in the bike in 1:50.2.
(Pocono Downs)