The Great Northeast Open Series (GNOS) will continue this Sunday with a pair of $30,000 events: an Open Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia in the afternoon and an Open Trot at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono at night.
In the pacing event, Rockin Ron has been listed as the 5-2 morning line favourite to get his first win of 2019 after several good tries against high-class company. The career earner of $1,618,365 was fourth in his only GNOS start of the campaign behind Rodeo Rock’s win in 1:49 at Pocono – the co-fastest mile of the year there – and last time out he was third despite early interference in the Camluck Pace at The Raceway at Western Fair District. Trainer Ron Burke has selected Yannick Gingras for driving duties, and the pair will begin from Post 4 in the eight-horse field.
Shnitzledosomethin, coming off a 1:49.1 win at the Meadowlands Racetrack, is the 7-2 second choice in his GNOS bow, with Corey Callahan driving for trainer Dylan Davis. Rated at 4-1 is Scott Rocks (Post 1, driver Tim Tetrick, trainer Hunter Oakes), the veteran who last week continued his string of 1:50 victories to six straight years, and Tiger Thompson N (Post 2, driver Dexter Dunn, trainer Josh Parker), who already has a GNOS win (at Philly) and two seconds this year.
In the GNOS Open Trot at Pocono, the world’s fastest trotter, Homicide Hunter, has been established a 2-1 early favourite from Post 5 for driver George Napolitano Jr., giving trainer Ron Burke the chalk in both halves of this GNOS Sunday double. Homicide Hunter did win a GNOS race at Philly, but he has been away from the races for 21 days, and he’ll try to get his season accelerating to a much higher gear Sunday.
Second choice at 3-1 is Muscle Diamond, coming off a second in a GNOS race two weeks ago. He will start from Post 4 for driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Brett Bittle. Rich And Miserable (Post 1, driver Tyler Buter, trainer Todd Buter, 7-2), brings a five-race win streak into his GNOS bow, including the season’s fastest Pocono trot mile, 1:51.3, last Saturday.
(PHHA / Pocono / Harrah’s Philly)