from harness publicists across North America

Monday’s (May 5) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows, Harrington Raceway and Northfield Park.

Certified Ideal repeats in Meadows pace

Washington, PA — Certified Ideal overpowered a distinguished field for the second straight week, capturing Monday’s $18,000 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace at the Meadows in front-end fashion.

Certified Ideal comfortably controlled the fractions for Tony Hall, and when she clicked off the final quarter in :27.4, she assured the only battle would be for minor spoils. The 4-year-old daughter of Western Ideal-Areba’s Last scored in 1:51.1, 1-1/2 lengths better than the rallying Phone Terror. Tremor Hanover finished third.

Randy Bendis trains Certified Ideal, who extended her career bankroll to $187,392, and owns with Mike Novosel Jr., Tom Pollack and James Walton.

Hall drove five winners on the 15-race card while Dave Palone fashioned a three-bagger.

— Evan Pattak

Harrington Raceway
John Dayton’s Just A Jolt ($3.60, Victor Kirby) notched his third straight win and equaled the 4-year-old gelding track record in the process in a 1:51.1 win in the $17,000 Open on Monday at Harrington Raceway. The 4-year-old Village Jolt gelding set fractions of :27.2, :55.4 and 1:24.1 before a sizzling :27 last quarter for an open length win over Lollipop Kid and Rock On Moe. The time equaled the track record Western Ace set in 2007. Trained by Jim King Jr., it was the seventh win of the year for Just A Jolt. Driver Eric Goodell had five winners on the program, three for trainer Josh Green. George Dennis, Jim Morand and Victor Kirby each had a double.

Northfield Park
Julians Caesar captured the $12,000 Open Handicap Trot in the eighth race on Monday at Northfield Park. Ron Burke trains the 7-year-old for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi. Chris Page was aboard for the winning drive. Julians Ceasar (Oaklea Julian-Twin B Lady) started from post four and made every pole a winning one. He posted fractions of :27.3, :57.1, 1:26.1 and 1:55.3, besting his competition by 1-1/2 lengths. Completing the race were Kirty Dream, Mythical Hall, Easy Strength, Mary’s Darvin, Soulful Delight, and Life Long Hanover. Sand Royal Blu pulled up with broken equipment and did not finish. Monday’s triumph was the fifth win this year for Julians Caesar and increased his lifetime win tally to 15 and his earnings to $263,692. He returned $6.00 to win. In the evening’s ninth race, Roadside Delight was victorious in the $11,000 Open Handicap Pace. He is trained by Tyler Nostadt for Pine Grove Stables and was driven by Keith Kash Jr. Roadside Delight (Bettor’s Delight-Road Sign) started from post four. He let his competition carve the :27.3, :56.1 and 1:24.1 fractions, before taking the lead in the stretch and winning by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:52.2. Completing the race were JS Tango, Lyons JosephJNR, Western Churchill, Goodnite Goodluck, Mybrothergeorge and PL Dragon. Roadside Delight now has four wins in 10 starts this year, 21 career successes and a bankroll of $294,251. He was the longest shot on the board and paid $61.00 to win.