from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (April 12) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Hoosier Park, Saratoga Casino and Raceway and Buffalo Raceway.

Betterluvnexttime extends win streak in Hoosier Park feature

Anderson, IN — Betterluvnexttime rattled off a sharp front end effort in taking home the featured $24,000 Invitational Pace for Fillies and Mares, her second consecutive victory at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, on Friday.

Pete Wrenn left no room for error as he sent the 5-year-old mare to the front from post seven. The duo would have to work for their position as Trace Tetrick also sent Aqua Artist out of the gate alertly. Betterluvnexttime reached the front through a brisk opening panel in :26.3 and continued to call the shots down the backside.

The field of eight remained in single file as they reached the half in :55.4. Aqua Artist benefitted from a pocket trip while Queenies Alibi and Tyler Smith followed intently in third. Shabalabadingdong was the first to commit as Lewayne Miller tipped her to the outside around the three-quarter clocking in 1:26.

Aqua Artist also took aim at the leader as the field turned for home but Betterluvnexttime found another gear. With a final panel in :28, Betterluvnexttime coasted home a winner, one length in front of Aqua Artist in 1:54. Queenies Alibi paced evenly to round out the trifecta. Betterluvnexttime didn’t disappoint as the heavy betting favorite and paid $3.00 for the win.

“She raced great again this week,” Wrenn noted. “We had to work a little to get out of the gate, but once I had her on the front, she relaxed and did everything I asked of her. She’s a great mare to drive and is very sharp right now. She makes my job look easy.”

Trained by Al Tomlinson, Betterluvnexttime notched her seventh win of the season in nine starts. The victory sent her career bankroll over the $215,000 mark for owner Daniel Mitchell. Sired by American Ideal, Betterluvnexttime has banked more than $60,000 this season.

— Emily Gaskin

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Upfront Billy (Andover Hall) continued his dominance of the local Open on Friday night as the Mark Ford trainee overcame post eight to record a convincing win in Saratoga’s $20,000 feature. Billy Dobson piloted the 4-year-old trotter who moved his local win streak to four with the 1:57.4 victory over the off going on a rainy Friday night at the Spa. Mama Made Me Blue (Brandon Simpson) finished second while Victom As (Harry Landy) earned the show spot. The Dobson-Ford combo also recorded a Friday win with trotter Keystone Wyatt (Cantab Hall), who prevailed in his local debut.

Buffalo Raceway
Hour Lavec, a 7-year-old Mr Lavec gelding, won the $10,000 featured trot in 2:00.2 for owners Finish Line Investors and John Paul Cummings, Jr. at Buffalo Raceway on Friday night over a sloppy track. It was the second win in 12 attempts this season for Hour Lavec. Driver John Cummings, Jr. put Hour Lavec ($3.60), the 4-5 favorite in the race, on the lead just past the quarter-pole and he set the rest of the fractions in the race, 1:01.1 to the half and 1:31.2 to the three-quarter marker. A :29 last quarter-mile put the winner three lengths ahead of second place finisher and last week’s Open winner Ziegfeld (Dave McNeight III). Oaklea Tyson (Ray Fisher, Jr.) came in third. Trained by Megan Wilson, the $5,000 share of the purse put Hour Lavec’s season’s earnings at $22,441 and $366,175 lifetime. It was his 24th win in 117 lifetime starts. Drivers John Cummings, Jr. and Dan Noble led all drivers with four wins apiece on the card.