by harness racing publicists across North America

The Thursday (Aug. 4) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Vernon Downs and Saratoga.

Southern Girl reaches in Vernon Distaff

Vernon, NY — Employing a tracking trip through much of the mile, Connie Hochstetler’s Southern Girl ($12.20) reached late to nose out even-money favorite All Charged Up in Thursday (Aug. 4) evening’s featured $8,000 Mares Open Pace at Vernon Downs.

Fotowon photo

Southern Girl noses out All Charged Up in Thursday’s top distaff pace at Vernon Downs.

Jimmy Whittemore floated forward with the 4-year-old Sportsmaster mare to take third in the initial stages, drafting behind Looney Dune (Ben McNeil) and Super Soph (Chris Lems) through early splits of :26.2 and :55.3. On the far turn, Southern Girl found herself locked in, as All Charged Up (John MacDonald) commenced a first-over rally on approach to the quarter pole.

Whittemore worked Southern Girl second-over upon cornering, and the pair ultimately swung three-wide as All Charged Up took command at the eighth pole. Southern Girl dueled strongly off cover to prevail by a hard-fought nose in 1:51. Looney Dune, the early pacesetter, was a worn-down third.

Homer Hochstetler trains Southern Girl, now an 11-time winner.

The evening’s sub-featured $5,500 Miracle Mile pace for distaffers saw Embassy Seelster ($2.70) control all the terms and edge clear to a two-length victory over Jinxy’s Delight in 1:51.2. Fern Paquet, Jr. drove the 6-year-old Modern Art mare for trainer Allie Berube.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (Aug. 5) evening, with post time slated for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.

— by James Witherite

Saratoga

Trainer/driver Phil Fluet won both halves of the Thursday (Aug. 4) co-features at Saratoga Casino Hotel. There were two divisions of the $8,000 featured trot for New York-sired high-steppers and Fluet piloted home a favorite and a longshot winner. Mo Titos Blue Chip (Crazed) scored in the evening’s opener as she set a new lifetime mark in 1:59.4. The race’s 3-5 betting favorite, Mo Titos Blue Chip recorded her second victory of the year. The Fluet-trained Financial Focus (Crazed) was up against a 1-5 favorite in her division of the featured trotting events on Thursday. After coming away third in the early going, Fluet guided Financial Focus up to challenge the big favorite Cupid (Mark Beckwith) around the final turn before getting the best of him by a head at the wire. The 2-year-old Trotter of the Year at the Spa last year, Financial Focus was dismissed at odds of 14-1 on Thursday as she put in her career best performance winning in 1:59. Fluet, who was named the Johnny Page and Peerless McGrath Award winner in 2015 for top breakthrough driver and trainer, respectively, is having another solid campaign in his second full year competing at the Spa. Live racing continues on Friday (Aug. 5) night at Saratoga with a 7:05 p.m. first post.