from Harness Publicists across North America

Thursday’s (August 21) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, Vernon Downs, Scioto Downs, the Meadville, Pa. Fair, and the Billings Series.

Dandy’s Jewel back on top at Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY — The 5-year-old pacing mare Dandy’s Jewel halted a rare five-race losing streak on Thursday when dominating five foes to take the featured $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway in 1:55.4.

Dave Oxford photo

Dandy’s Jewel, driven by Brian Allen, won the $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace in 1:55.4.

Guided from post five by conditioner Brian Allen, Dandy’s Jewel settled briefly in fifth place through an opening quarter in :27.3, before angling off the pylons to begin a first-over march towards the front through middle fractions of :58 and 1:26.3.

Dandy’s Jewel powered to the front on the final turn, sprinting clear of her overmatched rivals to enter the stretch with a commanding six length advantage, before coasting under the wire unchallenged to score by 4-1/2 lengths following a :29.1 final panel.

Dandy’s Jewel returned $5.30, $3.00, and $4.30 for the victory. Mystic Player (Dan Cappello, Jr.) brought in $5.90 and $6.00 when finishing second, while Lady Coyote (John De Long) paid $5.70 for third.

Owned by Alpine Meadow Racing, Dandy’s Jewel is a five-time winner from 12 starts this year, with seasonal earnings of $53,170. The daughter of Space Shuttle boasts a lifetime record of 25 wins from 71 outings, with a career bankroll in excess of $326,000.

— Michael Costanzo

Magic repeats at Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Magic used his special powers to record a second straight victory as the crowd wagering choice in Thursday night’s $8,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Following a fast-closing 1:57.2 triumph here on August 14, Magic got shuffled back to last in the five-horse field, but came on strong in the stretch to secure a three-quarter length score in the week’s top division of the Miracle Mile trotting class.

The 1:57.2 clocking was just two-fifths of a second off the personal best performance that Magic had displayed in a Vernon victory back on May 15.

Todd Frocione, who has chalked up all three of his current track triumphs behind the 4-year-old son of Credit Winner, did the driving for his dad, owner Lon Frocione, and trainer Tony Mondi. The stouthearted tally was the third in six season’s starts for the lifetime winner of $147,749.

The evening’s fastest trotting mile was turned in by the 5-year-old mare Howwilddoyawantme, who was steered by trainer Rick Plano to a 1:56 personal best record in the sixth session for owner Maryann Plano (Rick’s wife), while Josh Marks piloted the pacer Cape Crusade to a 1:54.4 victory in the 10th test for trainer Lonny Hale and the Hale Storm Stable.

— Jim Moran

David Myers triples on Scioto card

Columbus, OH — Driver David Myers demonstrated his skilled hand with young horses on Thursday night at Scioto Downs as he guided a pair of sophomores and a juvenile to the winner’s circle.

His first win came when he steered the 3-year-old trotting colt Vega Lavec (Master Lavec-Vega Venus by American Winner) to a three length score in 1:59.3 after enjoying a two-hole trip behind Pana Colada. Sent off at 4-5 by bettors, Vega Lavec easily bested Liz’s Lexus and Master’s Sweetie. Myers also trains the winner for Edward Patterson.

Later in the card, Myers drove Born To Rockn Roll to a longshot victory in 1:58 for trainer Ron Potter and F.T.F. Inc. The 2-year-old son of The Panderosa-Hearts Are Wild paid $70.80 to win. He prevailed over Bobsujak and I OTA Win.

In the next race, Myers was again a winner by a head with Romantic Jet, a daughter of Jet Laag-Romantic Melody. She stayed close to the pace set by Three Blisters, then moved in the homestretch to get the victory over Camasoar and Sa De Me Lady. Romantic Jet, a 3-year-old, is owned and trained by Jeff Short and paid $18.60 to win. The winning time was 1:58.4.

— Dean A. Hoffman

Final day of racing at Meadville

Meadville, PA — The 3-year-old pacers were in action on the final day of racing at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Meadville, Pa.

Ryan Zidek photo

Allamerican Swift was a 2:04.1 winner for Winston Lineweaver.

Two $5,101 divisions of the PA Sire Stake filly pace opened the day. Peak-And-Boom earned her first victory of the season with a 2:05.1 mile. Steve Schoeffel drove the filly, who had been winless in eight previous starts, for trainer Hoye Rickert, who leases the Arturo filly along with Pauline Rickert. Allamerican Swift won the second division in 2:04.1 for driver Winston Lineweaver in wire-to-wire fashion. The Real Artist filly pushed her season earnings near the $20,000 mark with her fourth win of the year for owner/trainer Bill Kreutzer.

In the sire stake colt pace, Schoeffel added two more driving victories. First, he catch-drove Sfumato to a 2:04.1 win for trainer Kreutzer, who co-owns the Real Artist colt with William Wood. In the second split, Special Character scored in 2:02.4 with a last half of :59.2. Steve Schoeffel also trains the Shady Character gelding for owners Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel and Marian Schilling. For Special Character, it was win number 10 in 15 starts this season.

— Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Hatfield and Farley win Billings races at Greenville

Monticello, NY — On Thursday afternoon at the Darke County Fair in Greenville, Ohio, two divisions in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series went to post and when they were declared official “Trader Bud” Hatfield and “Lawbook Larry” Farley each emerged victorious.

Hatfield had a perch behind Make It Hot, the favorite in his division, and “the Trader” drove him like he was the best. Though Make It Hot bobbled behind the starting gate Hatfield got his trotter back on gait quickly and was fourth as the field passed the quarter pole in :30. Third at the half, Hatfield decided to go and go he did as Make It Hot trotted to the front at the three-quarters and then scooted off to a six length victory over Zorgwijk Fatal and driver Dale “The Big Boss” Zahn in a time of 2:04. Third place went to Ask Mama T, who was in rein to Bob “I Wanna Sell You A Car” Chapman.

Farley, a lawyer from Berkley, Ohio, gave his trotter Prime Number a perfect journey when he sat tucked in the two-hole behind pace-setter Callico Cat, driven by “Tar Heel’ Tom Williams. Farley shadowed the leader until the top of the lane and then angled his trotter to the outside and Prime Number got up in the final strides for a 2:04.3 triumph over Callico Cat. Midwest region point leader Steve “You’re Never Too Oldford” took home the show dough with Yobro Tyson.

For “Trader Bud,” winning, though wonderful, isn’t that unusual for him as he has had 208 other driving victories during his amateur career. But for “Lawbook Larry,” who years ago participated in Monticello Raceway’s Legal Eagle Pace — for lawyers who drive harness horses — a decade or so ago, his triumph was the 29th of his career, which ended a five-year drought and is surely one he’ll celebrate for a while.

— John Manzi