from Harness Publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (November 11) edition of Racing Roundup features a results story from Monticello Raceway, The Meadows, Dover Downs and Pocono Downs.

Bacon Hill Scott cops trotting feature at Monticello

Monticello, NY — On Wednesdays at Monticello Raceway trotters are featured with usually five or six events carded for the marching gait. However, on November 11 only four trotting races filled, one of which was the weekly winners over class which features the best on the grounds.

Geri Schwarz photo

Bacon Hill Scott was a 2:00 winner for driver Mike Forte.

The contest that afternoon once again pitted Getthemoney, the track’s Trotter of the Year, against his nemesis Buck ID, but neither were victorious as Bacon Hill Scott rallied down the passing lane to a 2:00 victory for driver Mike Forte.

As the wings of the gate folded Getthemoney and Bruce Aldrich, Jr. took command on the first turn as Bacon Hill Scott settled in the two hole after starting from post position five. They raced one-two past the quarter and then again past the half before any movement came from behind.

Jordan Stratton was the first to move with Roman Holiday but they never got into contention. With Getthemoney and Bacon Hill Scott still in the same order, Zeke Parker pulled Buck ID out of the three-hole and moved toward the leader.

Buck ID ranged alongside Getthemoney and the two trotters raced side by side around the final turn but it was a cool and confident Mike Forte who finally angled Bacon Hill Scott to the passing lane and they charged home to victory over Getthemonmey and Buck ID.

“It was the first time I drove him (Bacon Hill Scott) and after we got away in the two-hole I didn’t see any need to move until I absolutely had to since Bruce (Aldrich, Jr. with Getthemoney) was going along at a steady clip,” Forte said. “I was still on Bruce’s back as we headed down the stretch so I took the shortest route home.”

Bacon Hill Scott is owned by Ben Velocci, John Alutto, Jr., John Esposito and Jim Ray and trained by Ray. He paid $6.40 for win.

— John Manzi

Heza Challenger upsets in Meadows feature

Meadow Lands, PA — Heza Challenger used a quick backside burst to get the jump on 2-5 favorite Master Begonia and pull off a 6-1 upset victory in the $27,500 Preferred Handicap trot Wednesday (Nov. 11) at The Meadows.

Sitting third for Brett Miller, Heza Challenger blew by the leader, Primo Spur, so quickly that Heza Challenger could not respond immediately from the pocket. When Heza Challenger blazed the final quarter in 27, there was no catching him. He prevailed in 1:55.2, 3-1/2 lengths better than Master Begonia, while Primo Spur finished third.

Bruce Riegle trains the 5-year-old gelded son of Chip Chip Hooray-Ten Queens for Robert Kauffman. Heza Challenger won for the 16th time in 39 lifetime starts and pushed his career bankroll to $195,575.

Dave Palone drove three winners on the 13-race card.

–Evan Pattak

Allmar Surprise wins Dover Open Trot

Dover, DE — Allmar Surprise lived up to her name in the $26,000 Open Trot at Dover Downs on a rainy Veteran’s Day,

Fotowon Photo

Allmar Suprise, driven by John Wagner, won the Open Trot at Dover Downs in 1:56 Nov. 11.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 program. Ron Pierce drove four winners.

With co-owner, trainer and regular driver Vic Kirby sidelined by the flu, John Wagner pinch-hit and hit a home run, driving Allmar Surprise from post 8 to a wire-to-wire 1:56 victory, her 10th of the year for Kirby and Matt Ivory. The Angus Hall-Benita Victory 4-year-old has now won $147,616 in 2009. Spunky Vic took second money for Ross Wolfenden and Daryl Bier-driven Starsel was third.

Powerful Committee won the sub-feature, one of Ron Pierce’s driving triple. Rose Run Flash (Ross Wolfenden) was second with race favorite Impel Hanover third. Powerful Committee, a 5-year-old CR Commando gelding from Mystic Virtue, is trained by Bobby Clark for Tina and Joanne Clark and Cantwell Bridge Stable. It was his third win of the season and raises his seasonal earnings to $42,740.

–Marv Bachrad

Ubetterthink Think wins Pocono Open

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Ubetterthink Think came charging down the stretch to win the $30,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares Wednesday (Nov. 11) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

A winner by three-quarters of a length over Marietta Hall (Andrew McCarthy), Ubetterthink Think (Joe Pavia Jr.) went over the $500,000 mark in lifetime earnings with the 1:51.4 win. This also was the 13th win in 37 starts for Ubetterthink Think.

This year alone the 5-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare has made more than $225,000 in earnings for trainer Mark Ford and owner Robert O DiNozzi of Ossining, N.Y.

Pavia Jr., the leading driver at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, over the last six race dates in November at the northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack has had multiple victories. Through the 11th race of the 13 race card Wednesday night he had a total of 19 wins this month.

–John Zimich