from Harness Publicists across North America

Friday’s (May 15) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Scarborough Downs, Yonkers Raceway and Scioto Downs.

Kerogen delivers new track record at Scarborough

Scarborough, ME — Maine’s trotting titans squared off once again at Scarborough Downs on Friday (May 15) with Kerogen seeking to avenge his recent defeat at the hands of the Grand Circuit-tested Velocity Hall – the only blemish on his 2009 record.

Ed Szalajeski, Sr. photo

Kerogen and driver Kevin Switzer in track record style at Scarborough Downs on Friday.

With Kevin Switzer catch-driving for regular pilot Kim Ireland, Kerogen wasted little time in driving to the early lead and never experienced a nervous moment as Velocity Hall and driver Don Richards took back to fourth.

Kerogen powerfully forged on through fractional splits of 28.3 – 59.1 – 1:28.4 en route to a brand new track record clocking of 1:58.1, supplanting the previous standard for aged stallions that he himself had established back in May of 2008.

“He’s a really nice horse” said winning driver Kevin Switzer, “He’s been the top trotter for two years running now and I never really had to ask him for anything today, he just went right along.”

Velocity Hall finished second in a tight photo-finish over Tsunami (Doug Gray).

— Mike Sweeney

Hannah Isabel, Galleon’s Assassin win co-features at Yonkers

Yonkers, NY— Hannah Isabel and Galleon’s Assassin earned Yonkers Raceway accolades, winning Friday night’s $44,000 co-features.

Hannah Isabel finished a safe length-and-three-quarters before Double Dream N in the Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace in 1:53.4. J K Pure Pearl, Saymynamesaymyname (Jordan Stratton) and Elusive Prey (Billy Dobson) completed the cashers.

For Hannah Isabel, a 4-year-old state-bred daughter of Bettor’s Delight trained by Jean Drolet for co-owners Marilyn & Heiman Gross, she paid $6.10 (second choice) for her first win in seven seasonal starts.

Galleon’s Assassin (Jeff Gregory) employed a different tact than Hannah Isabel, but with the same result.

Leaving from the penultimate post position in the Open Handicap Trot field of seven, “Galleon” was in no particular hurry.

Long Story Short (Bouchard) hounded the leaders from first-up, with Galleon’s Assassin in behind. American Lane had a short lead in and out the final turn, but was about to give way.

Long Story Short made the lead mid-stretch, but that one couldn’t stave off the better trip of “Galleon,” who prevailed by a neck in 1:58.2. American Lane, Spur-Ann-E (Greg Grismore) and Light Headed (Jordan Stratton) grabbed the small change.

For Galleon’s Assassin, a 7-year-old Earl gelding trained by Darren Cassar for owner Barry Charles, he returned $11.60 (third choice) for his fifth win (second consecutive) in 13 seasonal starts.

— Frank Drucker

Sunland Dakota wins Open Handicap Trot at Scioto

Columbus, OH — Driver Chris Page sent the 2-5 favorite Sunland Dakota charging toward the front at the start of Friday’s Open Handicap Trot at Scioto Downs. The son of Corleone never relinquished the lead once he took command and won handily in 1:56.2.

Virgil Morgan trains the 4-year-old gelding, who defeated the 36-1 shot Wyatt and Hello Carlo. The winner is owned by Frank Bellino of New York.

Kay’s Yankee Lou paced to a 1:53.4 victory in the $7,500 Fillies-Mares Open Handicap. She paced past pacesetter Indy Dawn to win by 2-1/4 lengths with Woes Jet Filly rallying to grab the show dough.

Kyle Ater drove for trainer Brandon Piquet and owners James Davis and Brian Clemmons.

— Dean Hoffman

Fox Valley Sage unleashed in Verson feature

Vernon, NY — Fox Valley Sage unleashed a strong stretch speed surge that carried her to a 1:53.3 victory in Friday night’s $9,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs, the week’s top test for female pacers.

With lessee and trainer Ralph Andersen in the sulky, Fox Valley Sage laid back in third as Bet The Ranch, last week’s winner in this class, took the field to the three-quarters in 1:26.1. The 5-year-old mare closed in a :27-second final quarter to defeat the pocket-sitting Chocolate Art by three-quarters-of-a-length. Bet The Ranch held on for third.

— Jim Moran

TV Mom struts her stuff at Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Her pilot was hoping the sub-par mile TV Mom had in her last was simply because she needed the start, and he was right.

A field of almost all conditioned trotters, and two in to be claimed, were in the Cal-Expo Friday night (May 15) spotlight for a purse of $4,500, on which TV Mom dropped down in class to win.

Owned by Maurice Sigmon and trained by George Reider, the six year-old mare would stop the timer at 1:57.1, thus recording her 27th career triumph while giving her trainer one of three wins on the night. Seneca Falls (Steve Wiseman) finished in second, and Cherry Tree Luke (Jim Lackey) finished just a neck farther back, in third.

“It tied her mark and was a very nice race,” finished Svendsen.

— Scott Ehrlich

Prime Interest shows prime talent at Saratoga

Saratoga, NY — Defending Horse of the Year Prime Interest showed the talent that gave him top honors in 2008 on Friday night as the open trotter coasted to a wire to wire victory.

Leading driver Frank Coppola Jr was up to drive the Self Possessed 7-year-old and he pointed the trotter to the front end. They would never look back and before it was all done, Prime Interest and Coppola would record a 1:55.4 win, the fastest trotting time of the year thus far at Saratoga.

Leading conditioner Colin Johnson trains the speedy trotter who recorded his third open win of the year.

Dan Cappello Jr continued his hot driving on the Friday card as the veteran reinsman tallied four more wins, following a Thursday night in which he recorded three wins.

— Mike Sardella

Bologna takes the Nevele Pride final at Buffalo

Hamburg, NY — The $20,400 “Nevele Pride” final was contested here at Buffalo Raceway Friday night, (May 15) and Bologna, a 4-year-old gelded son of Sand Chaser out of the Overcomer mare Over Baked, won in 2:00 a seasons best, tying his lifetime best for owner Fred C. Polk of Zanesville Ohio.

“Getting the rail was huge”, said McNeight. “I just put him on the lead, and he was on cruise control the whole way. Jimmy (trainer Jim Graham) has done a real good job with him and deserves all the credit.”

— Sam Pendolino