Racing Roundup: Monday, August 18, 2008
August 19, 2008,from Harness Publicists across North America
Monday’s (August 18) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows, Harrington Raceway, The Red Mile, Batavia Downs, and the Meadville, Pa. Fair.
War Boots on the march again at The Meadows
Meadow Lands, PA — Taking advantage of a field with little early speed, War Boots worked out a perfect pocket trip and went on to capture the $25,000 Invitational Handicap Pace on Monday at The Meadows, his ninth victory in 19 starts this year.
While War Boots customarily reserves his brush for the back half of the mile, trainer/driver Ray Paver today asked him for pace from the gate. The 4-year-old gelded son of Memphis Flash-Fancy Boots responded well, settling in behind race leader Up Front Jerry.
Though the opening panel was a sizzling :26.4, War Boots had plenty left for the stretch, downing Up Front Jerry by a half-length in 1:51.4. Real Hanover finished third.
Shirley Mitchell owns War Boots, who now sports a career win percentage of 43.6.
— Evan Pattak
Brian P dominates at Harrington
Harrington, DE — Melvin Givens and Niel Gargiulo’s Brian P ($5.00, Brandon Givens) was an impressive winner in Monday’s featured $20,000 Junior Open Pace at Harrington Raceway in 1:52.2.
Fotowon photo
Brian P scored in 1:52.2 in the $20,000 Junior Open Pace on Monday at Harrington.
The 5-year-old Western Hanover stallion earned his sixth win of the year and fourth in recent starts, with a front end, two length triumph over Eagle Real One and Village Blitz.
‘Brian’ has now earned $91,410 in 2008.
Drivers Ross Wolfenden and Corey Callahan each won three races on the program.
— Matt Sparacino
Lisdean upsets at The Red Mile
Lexington, KY — Late closers were once again featured on the Monday night Red Mile card. The late closing events staged were for freshman filly trotters and freshman colt pacers.
The most impressive performance of the night was turned in by a lightly raced Lisdean in the night’s tenth race. Mark Harder trains the Artsplace colt, and was also in the bike for Lisdean’s second lifetime start.
Nigel Soult photo
Lisdean closed in the stretch to defeat Pedro Island by a half-length.
The race unfolded with Harder grabbing leather and settling in eighth in the field of nine, but he did not wait long to pull the colt and begin his first over grind just as they straightened out down the backside. Lisdean had pulled dead even with the overwhelming 1-9 favorite, Pedro Island, as the field turned for home, and would use the entire length of the stretch to overtake the early leader by a half-length in 1:54.2.
Lisdean is owned by the Bulletproof Enterprises.
KYSS action for freshman trotters and pacers will return for the third and final leg on Thursday evening at the Lexington oval. It will be the last opportunity for Kentucky-sired horses to earn points before heading into the $2.4 million Evening of Champions on Sunday, August 31. Post time is 6:30 p.m. for the 18-race card.
— Gabe Prewitt
Long Live America captures Batavia feature
Batavia, NY — Monday night’s featured race at Batavia Downs was a $10,000 claiming pace with a purse of $5,500.
Racing to victory was Long Live America with Ray Fisher, Jr. in the driver’s seat for his third win on the night, pacing the mile in a commendable 1:56.2, with quarter times of :28.4, :59, and 1:27.2. Just behind for the place was PH Cardshark, with Troy Boring at the lines. Durin Hanover and Kevin Cummings picked up the show. Long Live America outfinished PH Cardshark, who had led all the way until the stretch.
Long Live America is a 6-year-old gelding by In The Pocket. Eric Ruppert is a part owner, while Bob Gruber III is a part owner and the trainer. The winning mutuel price was $10.00.
Veteran reinsman Tom Agosti also recorded a driving triple.
Live racing will continue this Wednesday and Friday evenings, both featuring New York Sire Stakes Late Closer races with purses in excess of $10,000 each night. Wednesday is the 3-year-old Late Closer Trot and Friday is the 2-year-old Late Closer Pace.
— Jeff Rizzo
Racing opens at Crawford County Fair
Meadville, PA — Harness racing returned to the Crawford County fairgrounds on Monday to open a four-day meet in Meadville.
Columbia County, a Sierra Kosmos-Keystone Delicacy gelding, picked up the win in the $5,337 first division of the PA Sire Stake 2-year-old colt and gelding trot. Owned by John and Michelle McMullen, Columbia County won in 2:06.4 for driver Bryce Truitt. John McMullen trains the freshman gelding.
In the second division, Political Desire, a gelded son of Tom Ridge-Your Hearts Desire, won for veteran driver Boots Dunn. Dunn also trains the winner, who scored in 2:11.3 at his home track for owners the Dunn Stable.
Pa. Harness Racing Comm. photo
Lady B Pearl won in 2:09.2 for Kim Good.
A pair of $5,264 freshman filly trotting events for state-breds were up next, with victories going to Lady B Pearl (Topgun Hall-Lady B Worthy) and BS Genny (Malabar Millennium-Super Generation).
Lady B Pearl was a 2:09.2 winner for owner/trainer/driver Kim Good. BS Genny was driven to victory by Winston Lineweaver in 2:10.2. The filly is co-owned by Dean and trainer Sue Brickell.
— Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission