Pocono: Prairie Panther roars home in Great Northeast Open Series

The Royal Millennium gelding Prairie Panther worked out a second-over trip from second-last, then pounced on the leaders through the lane to record a 1:50 victory in a $30,000 event in the Great Northeast Open Series (GNOS) for fast-class pacers Saturday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Marcus Miller followed the cover of Proper One with the winner as favored Western Fame, who had taken the lead after a 26 second opener, posted middle splits of 54 4/5 and 1:22. When the first-over attacker faltered on the turn, Miller swung Prairie Panther wide, and he finished in overdrive to defeat Scott Rocks, who had utilized the Pocono Pike, by a half-length, with Western Fame third and series pointleader Tiger Thompson fourth.

Michael Deters, co-owner with Laurie Lee Poulin, trains the winner of more than half (31 for 61) of his lifetime starts. This was the first seasonal GNOS outing for Prairie Panther, but the points he won tonight, combined with a couple more high finishes before the GNOS prelims end the weekend of September 1, could get him a ranking high enough to qualify for the $100,000 GNOS divisional Championship at 1 1/4 miles at Pocono on Monday, September 9.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--