from harness publicists around North America

Saturday’s (Nov. 17) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Yonkers Raceway, Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Saratoga Casino & Raceway.

Rockincam wins Saturday night Open Handicap at Yonkers

Yonkers, NY — Locally-debuting Rockincam (Eric Goodell) worked out the perfect trip Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $35,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Justin Grasso photo

Favored Rockincam won Saturday’s Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway in 1:51.4.

Leaving from post position No. 6 as the 6-5 favorite, Rockincam sat early as Silent Swing (Mark MacDonald) left to an immediate lead. That one then took up, allowing honors to Code Word (Yannick Gingras). After a :26.1 opening quarter and :54.4 half, Casimir Jitterbug (Jason Bartlett) moved from fourth. He pilfered the lead from Code Word passing the 1:23.1 three-quarters, with Rockincam perched right on Casimir Jitterbug’s back.

Casimir Jitterbug owned a short advantage into the lane, but Rockincam rolled on by. He defeated his tow by a length-and-three-quarters in 1:51.4, with Sapphire City (Brent Holland)–who had launched a big bid down the backside–grabbing third. Silent Swing and Or (Brian Sears) annexed the remainder.

For Rockincam, a 5-year-old son of Cambest owned by Stephen Farrell and trained by Nifty Norman, he returned $4.50 for his ninth win in 22 seasonal starts.

— Frank Drucker

Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
It didn’t take Jason Dillander long to pick up right where he left off in sunny Florida. Following a most successful 2011-12 winter season at Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, the 36-year-old reinsman spent the past summer at his other home base, the Hoosier Park-Indiana Downs circuit where he has excelled in recent years. Emulating Lebron James of the Miami Heat, Dillander brought his talents back near South Beach on Saturday night and promptly scored with his first drive. He guided Arezzo Hanover to a wire-to-wire 1:52.1 triumph over Waterside Champ (Wally Hennessey) and Kennanskingwilliam (Dave Ingraham) for owner Elm Racing and trainer Billy Knipper. It was Dillander’s only drive on the program, although he is scheduled for several more on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday cards and his workload is expected to increase in the coming weeks. The weekly $10,000 Open Pace was also contested on Saturday with Northern Companion (Rob Hoffman) lowering his lifetime mark to 1:50.4 with an upset win over favored Pacinello (Rick Plano) and Neptune Blue Chip (Hennessey). It was the 14th win of 2012 for owner Dorothy Zarza’s prize possession and increased his seasonal bankroll to $72,033 racing exclusively at Pompano.

Rosecroft Raceway
Debbie and John Gazzerro’s Shaker Rei scored her fourth win in the last six starts in Rosecroft’s opener. This was her second win of the week as she scored against the boys on Tuesday evening. John drives and trains this one, with plenty of assistance from Debbie, and has turned this mare into the “now” horse at Rosecroft. She has been the definition of consistency with two consecutive wins, following two place finishes which followed consecutive wins five and six starts back. This week the always dangerous Rocket Rosy went down the road under little pressure in 27.3; 57.2 and 1:26.2. Gazzerro and Shaker Rei sat patiently on the wood in third until beginning to grind it up uncovered about three furlongs out. Rocket Rosy and driver Frank Milby continued on an open lead until the field entered the turn. Gazzerro unleashed Shaker Rei and she viciously closed ground to gobble up a very game Rocket Rosy who held the place over a quickly closing GE’s Alex. Shaker Rei set a new lifetime mark for the second week in a row, this time in 1:54.2. Rocket Rosy was solid in defeat and held very well considering she missed a week.

Saratoga Casino & Raceway
White Mountain Top won the Saturday open pace for the second consecutive week. The Amber Buter trainee scored his first local open victory last week and was dismissed at odds of 8-1 on Saturday in his attempt at a repeat. Stephane Bouchard piloted White Mountain Top (Yankee Cam) and moved him first over coming to the half. The task was daunting as the 6-year-old would have to confront front-runner Kelly’s Noah, who was the favorite. His methodical first over march concluded with a 1:54.1 victory in the $21,000 open. Goose Creek (Jim Devaux) closed for second while Legal Litigator (Bruce Aldrich Jr) came on for third. White Mountain Top returned $18.40 to win.