Pocono: Highalator topples rivals in Great Northeast Open Series

Highalator recorded his 20th career victory in just 42 lifetime starts as the son of Somebeachsomewhere took the $30,000 open pace division of the Great Northeast Open Series at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Saturday night in 1:51 1/5.

Eric Carlson got the winner of $259,218 away quickest of all, then yielded to series point-leader Rodeo Romeo past the 26 4/5 quarter. Rodeo Romeo put up pedestrian (for this class) middle fractions of 55 3/5 and 1:23 3/5 and had shaken off first-over Rockeyed Optimist before headstretch. But Highalator was full of pace when Carlson tipped him outside in the lane, and the horse went by for a length victory over slight favorite Bettor’s Edge, who had clear sailing in the Pocono Pike when the winner moved a path right; Rodeo Romeo had to settle for third, another neck back.

For Highalator, trained by Jenny Bier for herself, Joann Dombeck, and Midsize Construction Inc., the victory vaulted him to fifth in the Great Northeast point-standings and greatly increased his chances of eligibility for the $100,000 Championship – the open pacers, open trotters, and mare pacers will all have a six-figure Championship event over 1 1/4 miles at the Downs on Sunday, September 2, the same night as the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championships for 3-year-olds.

--press release (Pocono/PHHA)--