from harness publicists across North America

Monday’s (March 3) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows and Northfield Park.

Imagine Hanover, Stray Cat Strut win Meadows series openers

Washington, PA — Off the board in each of his five previous 2013 starts, Imagine Hanover put it all together Monday at The Meadows and rolled to an easy front-end victory in the opening leg of the Ken Weaver Memorial Trot for 3-year-colts, geldings and horses. The series honors the memory of the late Ken Weaver, a breeder and trainer at The Meadows and a longtime PA Fairs circuit stalwart.

Imagine Hanover was no better than fifth this year while trying to make up ground late. On Monday, Brett Miller hustled him to the lead, and the 4-year-old Broadway Hall-Imposing Hanover gelding apparently liked the change of scenery as he triumphed in a career-best 1:57.1. Master Angler was second, 8 lengths back, with Glamrocker third. Del S. Miller trains Imagine Hanover for James Beluscak and Robert Carson.

Brett Miller completed a sweep of the opening Weaver leg by urging Stray Cut Strut to a Lightning-Lane victory in 1:59.2, a lifetime mark. Masada was second, 1-1/2 lengths in arrears, while early leader Spicey Victor saved show. Kimberly Good owns, trains and bred Stray Cut Strut, a 3-year-old Malabar Millennium-Coyote Valentine gelding.

In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace, 13-1 Shine N Shimmer found herself shuffled to third after leading early. But she moved powerfully first over for Miller and prevailed in a career-best 1:51.3, 3 lengths better than Certified Ideal. Foxy Lady finished third.

Stacy van Huizen conditions Shine N Shimmer, a 6-year-old daughter of American Ideal-Sheer Hose who now boasts $235,909 in lifetime earnings, for Howard Taylor. Miller finished with four wins on the 15-race card.

— by Evan Pattak

Northfield Park
Hello Carlo and Kahoku dead heated in the $10,000 Open Trot in Northfield Park’s sixth race on Monday. Hello Carlo is owned by Mario Caponi and trained by Larry Clabaugh. Josh Sutton was aboard for the winning drive. Margaret Mancini owns Kahoku. Crist Hershberger trains and drove. Both trotters came from the back as the fractions were perfect for closers. The first half was :58 and the back half was trotted in 1:00. Finishing behind the pair of winners were Sure Thing, Julians Caesar, Saintfrancis, Pembroke Snapshot, Mythical Hall and Talladega Hanover. Monday’s triumph increased Hello Carlo’s (Carry The Message-Last Turn) lifetime win tally to 54 and Kahoku’s (SJ’s Caviar-Tags Goal) to 11. Hello Carlo has now earned $264,868 and Kahoku has bankrolled $75,513. Neither totter was the race favorite, as Hello Carlo paid $5.80 to win and Kahoku returned $21.00. In the evening’s ninth race, Rose Run Logan trotted home for his fourth straight win over Northfield’s Flying Turns. The 7-year-old gelding is owned and trained by Jeff Hochstetler. Aaron Merriman was the winning driver. Rose Run Logan started from post six and led at every call through fractions of :29.1, :58.1, 1:27.1 and 1:56.2. He was well in hand the entire mile and bested his closest competitor Al Brown (Don McKirgan) by four lengths. Monday’s triumph was the 10th career success for Rose Run Logan (Armbro Laser-How Miraculous) and increased his lifetime earnings to $24,598. He was heavily favored and returned $2.40 to win. Western Churchill was an upset winner in the evenings $10,000 Open Pace for owner New York Thunder Stable. Northfield Park’s leading trainer Calvin Hollar is his conditioner and Greg Grismore drove. Western Churchill (Western Ideal-The Mattican) started from the rail and sat the pocket through fractions of :28, :57.2 and 1:25.3. Grismore pulled Western Churchill at the head of the stretch and was three-quarter lengths in front at the finish in 1:54.2. Completing the race were Shark Dressed Man, Man He Can Skoot, Forever Good, Nathan Feelsgood, Curator, Lucky Jet and Stevie Diamonds. Western Churchill now has 15 career successes. Monday’s victory pushed his bankroll to $208,478. He paid $28.40 to win.