Racing Roundup: Tuesday, September 2, 2008
September 3, 2008,from Harness Publicists across North America
Tuesday’s (September 2) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Grand River Raceway and the Port Royal, Pa. Fair.
Only Lonely lowers Grand River record
Elora, ON — Only Lonely trotted to a new track record for sophomore fillies on Tuesday night at Grand River.
Bill O’Donnell steered the Yankee Paco-Too Good For You miss to a two length score in the fourth dash of the card in 1:58.3. The clocking replaces the former record of 1:58.4 shared by Holyrood and Dornello.
Only Lonely is trained by Chris Beaver for owner Tom Crouch. The record marks her fifth win of the season and pushes her career earnings to $104,561.
— Kelly Spencer
PA Fair races held at Port Royal
Port Royal, PA — Pennsylvania stake races were held under the lights at the Port Royal Speedway on Tuesday, as the Pennsylvania Fair Circuit moved through Juniata County.
Fair newcomer Schtark Gal, trained and driven by Matthew Aukamp, picked up his first career win in a division of the PA Sire Stake 2-year-old colt trot to open the card. Owned by Daniel Esh, Schtark Gal (Tagliabue-Abundamore) won in 2:10. In the second division, Columbia County set a new track record for freshman trotting colts, winning in 2:02.2 for trainer John McMullen and driver Bryce Truitt. John and Michelle McMullen own the Sierra Kosmos-Keystone Delicacy colt, now a winner in half of his 14 starts on the year.
The McMullen/Truitt combination annexed their second win of the night in the next race, as Bank Star (Banker Hall-Classofninetyfive) won the first division of the freshman PASS Filly Trot, scoring in 2:07. Truitt made it three straight wins on the night when Annies Wonder won the second split in 2:03, a lifetime best. Bryce co-owns the Wonder Dancer-Sanstone’s Annie filly with his wife, trainer Cindy Truitt.
Three divisions of freshman filly pacers were carded, with victories going to Tarra Risen Dragon (Gotta Future-Brooke’s Dragon), Bell On Wheels (Western Hanover-Bellys Up) and DVC Fivoclock (Quentin Hanover-Cajun Attitude). Tarra Risen Dragon watched two rivals battle through a :59.4 first half, then made his move at the three-quarter pole, going on to win for trainer/driver Steve Schoeffel in a life-best 2:01.2. Wayne Graham, Jr., owns Tarra Risen Dragon. The mile was a track record for freshman pacing fillies, but it didn’t last long, as Bell On Wheels aced a mile in 2:01.1 in the second division for owner/trainer/driver Roger Hammer. DVC Fivoclock, owned, trained and reined by Dave Brickell, paced her mile in 2:02, the fastest win of her career.
Two divisions of 2-year-old colt pacers were up next. Bruce Kav turned in an impressive performance, winning in 1:59 for driver Randy Neal, who co-owns the colt with his father, trainer Cliff Neal. For Bruce Kav, a son of Blissfull Hall-Bruce’s Other Lady, it was his second career victory. The mile also established a new track standard for frosh pacing colts. Hammer made a return visit to the winner’s circle after the second split, guiding Happy Shark (Four Starzzz Shark-Laughing Pro) to a 2:01 win. Hammer owns and trains the colt.
— Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission