Pocono: Analysis of the Great Northeast Finals

The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono will host a stakes-filled 14-race card on Monday, September 9 that includes eight $40,000 Stallion Series finals and a trio of $100,000 Great Northeast finals.

The Great Northeast series began May 4 this year and has offered top older pacers and trotters consistent venues to compete as the races moved back and forth between Pocono and Harrah’s Philadelphia. The culmination of the four-month series produced three solid fields which will compete in 1 1/4-mile races. Let’s dig in!

Race 10 - $100K Great Northeast Mares Open Pace

The connections of (2) CAVIART ALLY had to look at the entries and get excited when Shartin wasn’t in this race. With the leading canidate for Horse of the Year sitting this one out, Caviart Ally gets a rare chance to shine. In any other year this Brett Pelling trainee would be lauded as the queen of her division and she should shine here at very short odds. In the pecking order of pacing mares, (4) APPLE BOTTOM JEANS falls third behind Caviart Ally and Shartin. Whether she elects to leave in this spot or not, she should be in line to fill out a short exacta.

Race 11 - $100K Great Northeast Open Trot

(3) RICH AND MISERABLE was rolling along before the break in the Vincennes and got a deserving month off. His comeback effort last week was solid as he sat patiently and finished willingly behind a soft early pace in a track-record mile. Driver Tyler Buter should have him on the engine or in the pocket this week with every opportunity to knock off (7) HANNELORE HANOVER. Though I have a hard time accepting what should be a 1-2 price on the former Horse of the Year, I do admit that if she brings her best game, no one is beating her here. (4) FIFTYDALLARBILL really hasn’t been as bad as his lines look and I wouldn’t be shocked if he stepped up at this added distance.

Race 12 - $100K Great Northeast Open Pace

This is certainly the most interesting race of the three in terms of potential winners, with more than half the field seemingly in with a shot to win. There is also a ton of early speed in the field that could make for an unexpected outcome. I’m going to try (1) SPRINGSTEEN, who picked up a good deal of confidence beating overnight foes here for three weeks before a no chance mile from an outside post against similar to what he faces tonight. If the race sets up as I expect, driver Simon Allard should be able to relax this guy early and take advantage of some tiring horses late. (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW finally tasted defeat last time after a long win streak, but it is hard to fault him for losing to the pocket-sitter after setting fast fractions on the lead. He’s clearly the one to beat but not worth a short price. (3) SCOTT ROCKS is the veteran of the field at age 9, but he can still get it done, especially at Pocono. If he can somehow sit third and find room up the cones, he could upset.