from Harness Publicists across North America

Tuesday’s (August 12) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Harrington Raceway, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, Plainridge Racecourse and the Washington, Pa. Fair.

Betting Machine cashes in at Harrington

Harrington, DE — Only Money Inc. and Teague Inc.’s Betting Machine ($7.80, Jim Morand) received a perfect trip and scored a 1:54 triumph in Tuesday’s $20,000 Mares Junior Open feature at Harrington Raceway.

Fotowon photo

Betting Machine was a 1:54 winner in the $20,000 Mares Junior Open.

The 4-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare got a rail trip behind pacesetter Blissful Maddie and moved into the two hole when pocket sitter Famed Artist pulled first-over up the backstretch.

Morand and Betting Machine then catapulted to the lead and held off Sixteen Candles and Famed Artist to the wire. It was the fourth win of the year for Betting Machine, who is trained by George Teague.

Pick Up ($4.60, Tony Morgan) and Millwood Ashley N ($10.80, Brandon Givens) each won their Junior Open divisions.

— Matt Sparacino

Scoot N Time scores at Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY — Canadian invader Scoot N Time made his first trip to the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway winner’s circle on Tuesday after utilizing a perfect second-over trip to take the featured $5,500 non-winners pace in 1:56.

Driven from post six by Mark Beckwith, Scoot N Time bided his time in sixth place as three horses battled for the early lead, with National Pastime (Brian Cross) emerging from that scuffle to take the field through opening fractions of :26.3 and :56.1.

Dave Oxford photo

Scoot N Time (#6) held off Paradise Willie (#7) to take the 5,500 non-winners pace at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway in 1:56.

As the pacers made their third turn of the mile, Ohoka Direct N (Scott Mongeon) was the first to move off the pylons, attacking from the outside while providing live cover for Scoot N Time as that pair advanced on the leader through a three-quarter split in 1:25.4.

Ohoka Direct N enjoyed a brief lead at the head of the lane, but the gelding was unable to go with Scoot N Time, who rolled off cover in mid-stretch and charged to the front, holding off a late bid from Paradise Willie (Dan Cappello, Jr.) to prevail by a neck.

Scoot N Time returned $9.50, $5.80, and $3.80 for the victory. Paradise Willie brought in $7.50 and $5.70 for second, while Ohoka Direct N paid $2.30 for third.

Owned and trained by Colin Johnson, Scoot N Time has visited the winner’s circle in five of 21 starts this year, which matches his win total from 24 outings in 2007. The son of I Scoot Hanover boasts a lifetime bankroll in excess of $65,000.

— Michael Costanzo

Hardy wins four at Plainridge

Marlborough, MA — Plainridge Racecourse’s leading driver, Jim Hardy, continued his assault on the century mark with four winning drives on Tuesday.

Hardy’s four bagger upped his season’s win total at Plainridge to 94 and his overall mark to 98. He also holds the top spot in the leading trainer standings.

He started things off by driving Slim Down to victory lane in the day’s $5,000 Open in 1:56.4 and followed with winning drives aboard Jacks Gameboy (1:59), Triple Sticks at 26-1, and Hoopichi (1:55.3).

The afternoon’s longshot honors went to John Hogan, who drove Fox Valley Select from the back of the pack to the winner’s circle at 62-1. A $2 winning mutuel paid $126.20.

Driver John Beckwith also enjoyed a good afternoon with a pair of wins. He scored with Tropic Cavalier (1:55.1) in the third race, and Tony-n-tee in the ninth.

Track officials also announced the voting for its newest Wall of Fame recipient will be released shortly. Ceremonies are held prior to the race festivities and the $75,000 Bert Beckwith Memorial Pace which is held on Labor Day, September 1.

— Jack Ginnetti

Freshmen in action at Washington County Fair

Washington, PA — The Washington County Fairgrounds hosted 2-year-olds in stake action on Tuesday at the track better known as Arden Downs. Driver Steve Schoeffel had the hot hand on the day, winning three of the 10 stake events.

Ryan Zidek photo

Bell On Wheels was a 2:02.1 winner for Roger Hammer in a 2-year-old filly pace split.

The morning session began with a driving win by Roger Hammer, as he guided Bell On Wheels to a 2:02.1 victory in the first $5,368 division of the PA Sire Stake 2-year-old filly pace. Hammer owns and trains the winner, a daughter of Western Hanover-Bellys Up. In the second division, Wrinkle Hanover won in 2:05 for trainer Dan Altmeyer and driver Mike Wilder. The Western Hanover-Wet Paint filly is owned by Altmeyer along with Richard Kelson, Heather Wilder and Murray Brown.

In the first PASS 2-year-old filly trotting division, Kantrotalot (SJ’s Caviar-KT Jetta) won in 2:09.3, a lifetime best. It was the filly’s third win of the year in her 10th start. Trainer Ken Weaver co-owns the filly with Wayne Shaffer, Jr. and Wayne Shaffer, III. Ed McNeight, Jr., picked up the winning drive. The second $5,264 division went to Tourderail and driver Randy Neal in 2:08.2. The Donerail-My Oh Moi filly is co-owned by Randy Neal along with his father, trainer Cliff Neal. It was Tourderail’s third win in five career starts.

Two $5,317 divisions of the freshman colt pace for state-breds were up next, and Schoeffel trained and drove both winners. Lislea Moran (Lislea-L’etoile) won the first division in 2:05 for owners Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel and James Nelson. AK (Audie K-Aly’s Shocker) scored in the second division in 2:04.2 for owner Terry Schoeffel.

In the PASS 2-year-old colt trot, Assai Piu Mosso was a winner for driver JC Miller, Jr., in 2:04.2. The Malabar Millennium-P Town Girl gelding is owned by trainer Rich Gillock along with Barbara Richardson. Columbia County (Sierra Kosmos-Keystone Delicacy) captured the second division in 2:09.3 for driver Wilbur Yoder and trainer John McMullen, Jr. John and Michelle McMullen own the winner.

— Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission