by harness publicists from across North America

Wednesday’s (Sept. 2) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Harrington Raceway, Batavia Downs and the Shenandoah County Fair.

Powerful Charger prevails at Harrington

Harrington, DE — Jim King Jr. and Tim Tetrick’s Powerful Charger ($4, Victor Kirby) notched his ninth win of the year Wednesday (Sept. 2) with a 1:55.2 triumph in the $16,000 Open Trot at Harrington Raceway.

The 7-year-old Powerful Emotion gelding assumed command approaching the quarter-mile from Chinese Cuisine and never relented with an open length win for trainer/co-owner King Jr. Chinese Cuisine held second while Wingus finished third.

The win pushed Powerful Charger just shy of the $100,000 seasonal earnings mark.

Veteran pacer Jingle Bell Rocker won his seventh race in a row in the seventh race. The 5-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding has been dominant at the $7,500 claiming level and recorded his 12th win of the year for owner Tina Clark in 1:54.1. Driven by Ross Wolfenden, Jingle Bell Rocker is trained by Bobby Clark.

Wolfenden, Kirby and Tony Morgan each had driving doubles on the program.

— Matt Sparacino

Batavia Downs
It was bombs away at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Sept. 2) as the betting public errantly overlooked Country Delight in the $10,000 mares Open pace feature. When the gate released the pacers, Country Delight (Jack Flanigen) took the lead immediately as the rest of the field seemed content to follow in post-position order to a :28 quarter. With no pressure at all, Flanigen continued to grab leather and strolled to a pedestrian :58 half. Having had enough of it at that point, post time favorite Call Me Maybe (Drew Monti) pulled first-over and got as close as a length off by three-quarters in 1:27, but at that point it was too late. Flanigen let his mare out a notch and she did the rest; pacing home in :28.1 to win in a season’s best, 1:55.1. It was the eighth win in 28 starts for Country Delight ($22.20) and it pushed her annual income to $48,623 for owner James Frandsen and trainer James Clouser Jr. Driver Dave McNeight III scored a driving triple getting across with Jimgethejobdunn ($7.50), Momara ($4.10) and Heavenly Place ($3.40). Drew Monti and Ray Fisher Jr. both had driving doubles. Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 4) at 6:35 p.m. when the New York Sire Stakes come to town featuring 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters who will compete for $120,400 in purses.

Shenandoah County Fair
Wednesday (Sept. 2) kicked off the 2015 racing season at the Shenandoah County Fair and Billy Carter picked right up where he left off. Carter started his five victory day with Diamond Player in the first race. He spotted the field eight lengths as B Blissfull (Jimmy Viars) and Cohendoleezza (Ernest Taylor) did battle on the front-end. When the field made their way to the half-mile pole she started her late closing kick on the leaders. Diamond Player circled around B Blissfull who was caught on the rail and could not get loose. When they made their way to head stretch Carter guided Diamond Player to an easy victory. Diamond Player won two races on the card as there were two heats. Carter also won with Peanut Butter Cup twice and then again with Xiao Wang in the sixth race. Betsy Brown made an appearance in the winner’s circle with BP Burner in the last race of the afternoon. BP Burner (Brian P-Mattaprocessor) spotted the field five lengths early before making his move at the three-quarter pole. He went around the leaders and won easily drawing off by a length. There was a dead heat for the second place spot between Perfect Ending and Jan’s Pride. For BP Burner it was the first victory for him after finishing third in the first heat. Racing resumes at the Shenandoah County on Thursday with a first post of 1 p.m. Thursday features Veterans Tribute Day.