by harness racing publicists acrorss North America

The Thursday (July 13) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga Raceway and Vernon Downs.

Devaux wins five at Saratoga

Saratoga, NY — Deak’s Cici Barr (Armbro Barron) set a new lifetime mark in Thursday’s (July 13) feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel in what was a big day for driver Jimmy Devaux.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Deak’s Cici Barr provides Jimmy Devaux with one of five wins on the Saratoga Thursday card.

Devaux has been red hot of late and chose Deak’s Cici Barr over another one of the major dangers in the $9,300 feature for New York-sired trotters.

The choice proved to be the correct one as the 7-year-old mare, who has been on top of her game since coming to Saratoga late last month, continued her own hot streak.

The George Deak trained trotter put in her best career performance in her local debut in June scoring in 1:57.3 while upsetting at odds of 30-1.

Following a second place finish last week, Deak’s Cici Barr was the 6-5 public choice on Thursday as she scored an impressive victory in 1:56.4. The win was one of five on the card for Devaux who currently sits in fifth in the local driver standings.

Live racing continues on Friday night at Saratoga with a 6:45 p.m. first post.

— by Mike Sardella

Vernon Downs

Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore) captures the Thursday night (July 13) Filly and Mare feature ($7,500) at Vernon Downs. Girlofyourdreams (W Bart Dalious) would take command early and hit the first quarter in :26.0. Wanna Rock N Roll (Shawn McDonough) would take a short lead but Girlofyourdreams would re-take the lead and lead all the way to the top of the stretch. Love Live Laugh (Ho Silverheel’s) who is owned by Jimmy Whittemore and trained by Dennis Whittemore, would go second-over and charge for the front in the stretch. All Charged Up (John MacDonald) would re-shuffle and go five-wide in midstretch. Love Live Laugh ($8.70) got the jump and that was enough for the 7-year-old mare to win in 1:53.3. All Charged Up would settle for second. Simple Saver N (Leon Baily) would finish third. Whittermore would win two more on the card with Fitzmagic ($6.70) and Love You Bye ($4.80). Leading driver John MacDonald would also win three to give him 54 wins on the season. MacDonald would win with Gimmesomeroom ($3.90), Major Millie ($2.70) and Divination $6.20). Vernon Downs returns to live action on Friday (July 14) with an eight race card starting at 6:45 p.m. For more information please go to www.vernondowns.com.