from harness publicists across North America

Saturday’s (July 4) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Buffalo Raceway, Saratoga Casino and Raceway and Kawartha Downs.

Bourbon Bay bounces back in top Tioga trot

Nichols, NY —A large crowd turned out at Tioga Downs on Saturday (July 4) evening for Independence Day festivities, and Bourbon Bay bounced back from a defeat two weeks ago to capture the featured $12,000 Open Trot.

Fred Brown photo

Bourbon Bay sprinted clear of his four rivals for a 1:54.2 score in the $12,000 Open Trot at Tioga Downs.

The 4-year-old Sand Vic gelding worked clear of March Awareness (Richard Simard) on the first turn, controlling the terms through a :56.3 initial half while under no pressure. On the backstretch, lessee/driver John Cummings Jr. asked Bourbon Bay for a bit more trot, and the response was instant. Bourbon Bay accelerated through a :28.1 third quarter, drawing clear of his foes off the far turn.

He ultimately amassed 2-1/2 lengths of clearance on his rivals, defeating them in 1:54.2. Grey Ice (Corey Braden) made a late push off the pegs to just take second, while March Awareness tired while chasing, checking in third.

Megan Wilson trains Bourbon Bay, who is now an 18-time winner in 37 career races.

Jim Taggart Jr. led all drivers with three wins on the nine-race card, earning his second hat trick in as many nights. He was victorious behind You The One ($21.80, 1:58), Sweet Kix ($56.00, 1:57.4), and Six Bax ($3.50, 1:55.1).

Live racing returns to Tioga on Sunday (July 5) afternoon, with the first of 11 races slated for 1:30 p.m. (EDT).

— James Witherite

Vernon Downs
After an early push clear of her five rivals, Let’s Go Higher ($2.40) looked every bit odds-on in the Independence Day feature at Vernon Downs, taking the $10,000 Mares Open Pace in 1:52. The 7-year-old Cole Muffler mare crossed and cleared from her outside post rapidly, sent to the fore by Chris Lems with no reservations through a :26 initial quarter. After backing down the pace through a :29.4 second quarter, she accelerated clear on the far turn, leaving the pocket-sitting Love You Bye (Jimmy Whittemore) three lengths in arrears through a 1:23.3 three-quarter sectional. She continued to extend her margin through the stretch, ultimately defeating her competition by four lengths. The Filly Princess (Frank Davis) sustained a belated first-over bid to take second, just getting past an all-out Love You Bye in the final yards. Heidi Rohr trains Let’s Go Higher for owner Jesse De Long. Jimmy Whittemore led all drivers with a hat trick on the 10-race card, teaming up with Drinkin N Dancin ($3.90, 1:54), Devil Child ($5.40, 1:52), and Country Chic ($5.20, 1:57.3). Live racing returns on Sunday (July 5) afternoon, with post time slated for 1:15 p.m. (EDT).

Buffalo Raceway
The way Rockstar Temper has been racing at Buffalo Raceway the past two weeks, he is quickly reaching ‘rock star status’ after rolling to another impressive victory in the $10,000 conditioned pace on Saturday night. After watching Mr Perseverance do the dirty work on the front end, the pocket-sitting Rockstar Temper ($3.90) cruised on by in the stretch and registered a length win in a seasonal best 1:53.2. It was his second straight victory in the week’s featured pace. Mr Perseverance (Shawn Gray) protected pocket position from the start and put up scorching fractions of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:24.4 over the fast track while Rockstar Temper (Drew Monti) followed in tow. With a quarter-mile to go, the duo broke away from the pack and were ready to duke it out to the wire. Rockstar Temper had the most punch and rolled past the helpless-feeling Mr Perseverance in the lane. Cobble Beach (Jack Flanigen) took the show spot. Owned by James Caradori and trained by Darrin Monti, it was the fifth win this season for Rockstar Temper (Rocknroll Hanover-Dragon Temper). The 7-year-old gelding has earned $48,520 this season and increased his lifetime bankroll to $337,853. Racing will return on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. with a 13-race program scheduled.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Panocchio (No Pan Intended) won his third Open Pace of the season at Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Saturday night. The Jimmy Mattison trainee is the Spa’s defending Horse of the Year and looked every bit the part in Saturday’s $18,000 feature. Driver Gerry Mattison moved Panocchio out to the early lead and got a soft opening half in :57.3. The 5-year-old pacer fended off the challenge from the first over favorite Musselsfrmbrussels (Billy Dobson) while sprinting his final half in :55.2 to prevail in 1:53. It was the fifth victory in 12 seasonal tries for Panocchio who scored 16 wins in 2014. Pocket sitting Ser Jon (Brian Cross) finished as the runner-up to Panocchio on Saturday night while Musselsfrmbrussels held on for third. Panocchio returned $7.00 to win and led an exacta that paid $44.00 and triple that came back $240.00. Live racing continues at Saratoga on Sunday with a matinee beginning at 12:45 p.m.

Kawartha Downs
Around Kawartha Downs Bob Woodward is known for his skill as the starting car driver, but this past week he was known as the owner of a stakes winning Quarter Horse. At Ajax Downs on Canada Day, July 1, Bob and his wife Gail started homebred Cruwysn The Artic in the C$52,500 Ontario-Sired Maturity and the 6-year-old gelding was victorious in 16.92 seconds. Carly Furlonger was in the saddle for the win for trainer Stephanie Keeble. Another Ajax twist at Kawartha Downs this evening was the presence of Doug McPherson who works at Ajax and does the handicapping tip sheet for Kawartha Downs. Doug gave out some free advice to Kawartha bettors tonight and even called a race. On the race track Dagfin Henriksen scored two victories, both with 3-year-old trotting fillies who were recording their first lifetime wins. Elegant Holiday, a daughter of Holiday Road, was home in 2:02 while Yawkey Way, a Muscles Yankee filly, scored in 2:00. Racing continues at Kawartha next Saturday night when we’ll be hosting Bring A Friend night. All patrons who bring a newcomer to the track will receive free programs, a $2 betting voucher and free tip sheet. We’ll have lots of prize draws as well. Post time is 7 p.m.