Racing Roundup: Monday, August 4, 2008
August 5, 2008,from Harness Publicists across North America
Monday’s (August 4) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows, Batavia Downs, and the Altamont, Ill. Fair.
Third Day cruises in $23,000 Meadows Pace
Meadowlands, PA — Third Day set comfortable fractions to the half, enabling him to cruise to a handy three length victory in the $23,000 Preferred Handicap Pace on Monday at The Meadows.
With Dave Palone at the helm, Third Day fronted the field in a :57 half and had plenty in reserve for the dash home. He scored in 1:52, with Vesuvio Grande second and Real Hanover third.
Mike Palone trains the 5-year-old gelded son of Cole Muffler-Art Today for Fran Azur. Third Day now has banked $349,912 for his career, which includes 21 victories in 80 starts for a win percentage of 26.3.
— Evan Pattak
Pacific Jerry scores in Batavia feature
Batavia, NY — The Monday night feature race at Batavia Downs was the tenth race on the card, a $10,000 claimer for colts and geldings and non-winners of $3,000 in their last five starts.
Pacific Jerry was the winner with an excellent charge in the stretch to capture the race in 1:57.4. Some lucky patrons cashed in on Pacific Jerry, paying a mutuel price of $13.00. Ron Beback, Jr. was in the driver’s seat and he is also the trainer.
Pacific Jerry is a 6-year-old gelding by Pacific Rocket, who gained his third win of the year. James T. Dunn is his owner.
— Martin Biniasz
Illinois record falls at Altamont
Altamont, IL — Refocus crushed a field of 2-year-old trotting fillies Monday afternoon at the Effingham County Fair in Altamont, Ill., and the daughter of Valley Victor -Wall Street Floozy shattered an Illinois colt association record in the process.
Trained and driven by Jamaica Patton, Refocus took the lead early and drew clear by 15 lengths to triumph in 2:03.2, making her the fastest 2-year-old trotter in the history of the Illinois Big Ten Colt Stakes. Owned by John Carver, the filly won for the third time in six starts.
The former Big Ten record of 2:04.2 had been established by Wildmanty and driver Neil Coleman in 2004, also on Altamont’s half-mile oval. The Big Ten circuit, of which Effingham County is a charter member, dates to 1953.
Racing officials publicly acknowledged track superintendent Frank Herboth shortly after the race, as well as the winning connections.
— Kurt Becker