from harness publicists across North America

Saturday’s (July 27) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Batavia Downs, Tioga Downs and Pompano Park.

Western Alumni rallies for Open Pace win at Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Western Alumni used a steady, first-over trip to catch heavily-favored OK Braveheart down the stretch and win the $8,500 Open Pace at Batavia Downs in 1:54.1 on Saturday night.

Paul White photo

Western Alumni was a 1:54.1 winner in the Batavia Open.

OK Braveheart (Shawn McDonough), sent off as the 2-5 favorite, took over the lead just past the quarter marker from Adelia’s Prince (Elliott Deaton) and managed to build a two length lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:25.3.

But Western Alumni, a 10-1 longshot, started his first over journey at the half-mile marker and paced his way to second as the field of eight turned for home. Driver Jack Rice then powered Western Alumni past the tiring OK Braveheart in mid-stretch and scored the 1-1/2 length win to return $23.60 to his backers. Western Alumni used a :28.3 final panel to collar the front-running OK Braveheart. Naked News (Jim McNeight) finished third.

With the win, Western Alumni now has six victories in 25 starts in 2013 and $42,972 in earnings. Jerry Nugent, Jr. trains the 5-year-old gelding. The 1:54.1 time is also a new seasonal mark for Western Alumni, now a winner of more than $128,000 in his career.

Drivers Jim McNeight and Shawn McDonough both made four winner’s circle visits on the Saturday night program, while Ron Beback, Jr. recorded a driving double.

— Brian J. Mazurek

Tioga Downs
Cold Certified won for the second time in two starts in 2013, both at Tioga Downs. Both times Corey Braden put the 4-year-old son of Kadabra-I Like Stephanie on the front and both times he never looked back. On Saturday night, over a tracked listed sloppy after hours of steady rain, Cold Certified wrangled the front in a quick :27.4. After backing down to the half in :57.4, Braden used another burst of speed to lengthen his lead to five through three-quarters in 1:26.1 and cruised home to a 1-3/4 length victory over a hard charging Windsong Hercules, who shook loose late to close for second. Fool’s Revenue was third. Corey Braden posted a driving triple while Bruce Clarke and Victor Kirby each secured driving doubles; Tyler Raymer had a training double. Also taking place during the races was the annual Miss Tioga contest. A record 19 contestants entered to battle it out for the crown. When the dust settled, Mary Katherine Julp from nearby Vestal, N.Y., was the winner. She currently attends UMBC studying biology and pre-dental.

Pompano
Tashia and Bruce Ranger shared the spotlight on Saturday night as Pompano Park closed out its summer meeting with a 12-race card. Tashia, a 3-year-old Six Of Diamonds filly owned by Jay and Kim Sears, extended her winning streak to five for driver Stephane Lareau with a very sharp 1:55 score in the opener for state bred Sunshine Stake eligibles. Her winning margin was easy enough — three lengths — but, nonetheless, it was a hard fought win as she pulled on turn two just short of a soft :58.3 half and was forced to pace a backside quarter of :26.4 to edge to the lead around the final turn. From there, she paced a final panel of :28.4 to put away the minimal threat of Dandee Diamond and Walter Ross, Jr. Pacesetting Seven Arias, driven by Mel Turcotte, would up third. The win enriched the filly to the tune of $25,835 this year, more than double her 2-year-old bounty with the entire menu of stakes ahead. She paid $3.20 to her backers. Ranger, though, was the driving star of the night, winning four events with Young American ($2.20), All American Major ($2.80), Moonglow ($4.80) and Cartoonist ($7.00). Also, the Florida Amateur Driving Club was in the spotlight on Saturday night as they made a sizable donation to benefit Women In Distress — this after Marc Major’s Browner Shuttle won for the initial time in 24 starts this year. Handled by Joe Pennacchio, Browner Shuttle, from the seven post, hustled up early to secure a garden spot back of favorite Peaceful Prince (Jamie Marra) and then rolled by that one late to score by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58. As fifth choice in the betting, Browner Shuttle paid $14.40 to win. It was Pennacchio’s 137th lifetime win as an amateur. Pari-mutuel racing returns to Pompano Park in early October for its 50th anniversary season.