by harness racing publicists across North America

Friday’s (June 30) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Tioga Downs and Hawthorne Race Course.

Sudden Change N wins Tioga feature

Nichols, NY — Sudden Change N (Jim Taggert Jr.) makes a late four-wide move to steal the Filly and Mare Open at Tioga Downs on Saturday night (June 30).

Fred Brown photo

Sudden Change N takes command in the lane to win the feature at Tioga Downs on Friday evening.

Gweneeee J (Jim Meittinis) took the lead just after the first quarter and lead all the way to the top of the stretch. The pacers went four-wide in stretch. Yes You Can (Tom Jackson) shot out first to claim the lead but Sudden Change N ($15.60) came widest and fastest of all to win in 1:51.4.

Sudden Change N (Changeover) is owned by Super Mile LLC and trainer Jody Reidel, would win for the third time this season. Yes You Can captured second. Gweneeee J hung on for third.

Taggart Jr. would win two other races on the night. He also won with Classic Can Dream ($4.60) in 1:53.2 and his first win of the night came with Townline Momma ($9.50).

Leading driver Mike Simons would win four on this muggy Friday night. Simons would win the second race with Iaquinta ($3.60) winning gate-to-wire by 11 lengths in the end in 1:52.0. In race five he would command Caviart Griffin ($7.20) to the front before the half and hang on to win in 1:56.1. Simons’ next win would come during race eight with Charming Hill ($11.40) using a late move to win in deep stretch in 1:53.4. Simons would complete the grand slam with a win in race 12 driving Simple Saver N ($11.80) to victory in 1:52.2.

Tioga Downs will not race on Saturday (July 1) because of the 38 Special concert. Racing returns on Sunday (July 2) with a 13-race card starting at 1 p.m.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.

— by John Horne

Hawthorne Race Course

Friday evening (June 30) at Hawthorne featured Illinois-bred 3-year-old filly pacers in leg two eliminations of the Plum Peachy Stakes. Race two kicked off the action as a field of seven lined up for the first division Lady’s Party was the heavy favorite with Casey Leonard in the bike. Getting away for the lead was Rousey Ronda from the outside as she quickly cleared through the quarter in :29.1. After a half in :58.1, Rousey Ronda maintained her lead as Lady’s Party stalked the pace. In the turn, the favorite tipped out to make her move, challenging Rousey Ronda through three-quarters in 1:26.0. In the lane, Princess Sage and Freddie Patton, Jr. rolled up alongside Lady’s Party and went on by, winning by nearly two lengths in 1:53.2. Lady’s Party held second while Dandy’s Dududidudu closed to finish third. Princess Sage is owned by Keli Jo Bell and Freddie Patton, Jr. and trained by Freddie Patton, Jr. Race three was the second division of the Plum Peachy Eliminations as another seven-horse field took to the track. My Kind Of Dance was sent off as the favorite with Casey Leonard driving. Making the top was San Antonio Rose from the inside but Hope Hotspur quickly challenged through the quarter in :28.3. Leading the field through the half in :57.3, Hope Hotspur maintained her lead into the turn. First to challenge was Ashlees Cocktail but Hope Hotspur led through three quarters in 1:26.3. in the lane, Ashlees Cocktail grabbed a brief lead but Fox Valley Dandy and Tim Curtain rallied past in the final sixteenth to get up by a length on the wire. My Mona Me closed to finish second while Ashlees Cocktail held third. Final time was 1:54.4. Fox Valley Dandy is owned by Hugh Lake and Susan Lacey and trained by Ray Hanna. Race four was the third division of the Plum Peachy as a field of eight was set to match up. Making the lead from the outside was Beamer N Bud, through a quarter in :28.3. The lead didn’t last for long as A Real Doozie led briefly before Fancy Creek Jolene moved, but then broke stride. After a half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:25.1, Filly Forty took over to battle A Real Doozie in the lane. Fighting back along the inside nearing the wire was A Real Doozie and Mike Oosting, drawing clear late. Filly Forty held second while Boogie on Down got up for third. A Real Doozie covered the mile in 1:53.4. A Real Doozie is owned by Ira Steinberg and trained by Mike Brink.