from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (June 19) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Running Aces and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Plano scores back-to-back hat tricks at Running Aces

Columbus, MN — For the second consecutive night, newcomer Luke Plano notched three triumphs on the nine-race program at Running Aces Harness Park.

The 33-year-old reinsman, currently atop the national UDR standings for drivers with more than 500 starts, has managed to take the lead in the local dash standings with 17 wins over the first 12 nights of the 53-night meet.

Plano’s victories came with a pair of $3,000 claiming horses, Just The Way It Is and Candy’s Pool, as well as an upset win with Yank My Missile in a race restricted to Minnesota-sired older pacers.

Driver John De Long fashioned an impressive driving double behind Crime Of Passion and Firstclassalltheway. Both are owned by Dandy Farms, both are trained by Jim Ellison, and both hit the wire in the identical winning time of 1:53.1.

Jason Ryan, another newcomer to the driver’s colony at Running Aces in 2013, also won two races, including the evening’s featured $7,000 conditioned trot. B C Lulu, the only optional $10,000 claimer in the field of solid, seasoned squaregaiters, used a strong :29.2 closing panel to edge Abes Little Blacky (Ridge Warren) and Franky Provolone (Steve Wiseman) in 1:56.2. The winner is a 5-year-old gelding owned by James Ruhl and trained by Paul Ruhl.

Ryan’s other score came behind Ideal Odds in the second leg of the Future Stars late closer for green pacing fillies and mares. Ryan also trains Ideal Odds, owned by Michael Timpano, who stamped herself as a likely favorite when the championship leg of the series is staged next Wednesday.

Racing resumes at Running Aces with Saturday and Sunday night programs at 7 p.m. and 6 p.m. (CDT), respectively.

— Running Aces Media Relations

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Driver Shawn Gray is enjoying his first season at Saratoga Casino and Raceway and the veteran reinsman added three more wins to his total on Wednesday evening. Gray piloted Makers Mach (Mach Three) to a career best victory in the evening’s $6,955 conditioned/claimer. The Heidi Rohr trainee was making his local debut in his first start for Rohr. Makers Mach was convincing, scoring a front running win in 1:55, more than two seconds better than his previous lifetime mark. Gray also secured victories with claimers Fox Valley Shannon and Runaway Fire A en route to his Wednesday hat trick. Gray currently sits eighth in the local driver standings.