Linscott Photography

Speed N The Tunnel held off Universal Star by a neck.

Starting in the number three post, Speed N The Tunnel got out to a quick first quarter with a time of :27.1. Widger was then able to coast her into a comfortable speed during the next splits, reaching the halfway mark in :59.2 and 1:30 at the three-quarter pole.

Universal Star, driven by Jason Dillander, was drafting off of Speed N The Tunnel the entire way. However, when the horses turned for home, Speed N The Tunnel still had too much left and won by a neck with a time of 1:58.2. Rounding out the top three was S F Aceinthehole, driven by Peter Wrenn, who had six wins on the card.

“I don’t like to worry during the race because it transfers through the lines,” said Widger. “I need to give her (Speed N The Tunnel) all the confidence I can to reach the wire first. She is just an honest and gutsy mare and easy to drive once you get her away from the gate.”

Speed N The Tunnel is owned by Brett and Lynn Wilfong. The 6-year-old Armbro Tunnel mare is also trained by Brett and has been through her ups and downs through the past year. This past fall, she lost her right eye when she was in her stall after hitting a nail. The decision was made to remove her eye and after missing one race, she was back in the winner’s circle. The latest win for Speed N The Tunnel brings her career earnings up to nearly $330,000.

“I don’t know she has an eye missing during a race, and I don’t think she knows that either,” said Widger. “She races well every way I have driven her, and never shows any signs of limited vision.”

In other Tuesday evening action, Biletnikoff and Wrenn scored the top spot in the $25,000 Invitational Pace. The duo followed along on the inside as Roxies Big Guy and Elliott Deaton led the way through fractions of :26.2, :56.1, and 1:25. In the stretch, Wrenn was able to move to the center of the track and let Biletnikoff pace home strong toward the leaders. The race favorite was 1-1/4 lengths back from Rocket Fuel and Dan Shetler at the wire, but were placed up for the win after a disqualification. Benns Superman and Brad Hanners moved up for second while Royalton Star and Andy Shetler, last week’s Invitational winners, finished third after a first over journey. Time for the mile was 1:52.3.

“This is a really nice horse,” said Wrenn of Biletnikoff. “He’s a legitimate Invitational pacer, and raced really well tonight even off a month layoff. He didn’t have the smoothest of trips tonight, but it was no total surprise he raced well. I used to train him and we sold him last fall. He’s raced well for every trainer that has ever had him.”

Biletnikoff, owned by Markus Ernst, increased his career bankroll to more than $357,000 and earned his 24th career win. It was the third win in six 2009 starts for the 5-year-old Keystone Raider gelding trained by Paul Kennedy, Jr.

— Tyler Dixon

Atlantic Filly wins $18,000 Pompano feature

Pompano Beach, FL — There was plenty of cool weather laying over the Atlantic coast of Florida, but that didn’t bother Atlantic Filly ($30.80) and driver Dan Clements as they made their way to the winner’s circle after taking the $18,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at the Isle Pompano Park in 1:53.4 on Tuesday.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Atlantic Filly (#2) won by a head over Hypnotize in the Fillies & Mares Open Pace.

Clements and Atlantic Filly went right to the lead to take the top pacers through fractions of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:24.1. As the field of eight turned for home Hypnotize and driver Fern Paquet, Jr. pulled from the pocket to challenge Atlantic Filly but couldn’t out step the 6-year-old Pacific Fella mare and was beaten by a head. Golden Falcon N and David Ingraham finished third.

Atlantic Filly is trained by Jimmy Salerno and owned by Don R. Locricchio.

It was a back-to-back training double for Salerno, who also sent out 9-year-old Sonofapreacherman (Anthony Napolitano) for the Royal Flush Farm to win a $4,000 claiming trot.

Driver Anthony Napolitano had four wins on the evening race card.

— Debbie Schaut

Cactus Creek wins again at Monticello

Monticello, NY — Cactus Creek rambled to his second consecutive victory in the weekly pacing feature at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday.

As he did in his previous start, Cactus Creek again made a laugher out of the contest which featured the best pacers on the grounds. Jimmy Marohn, Jr. again guided the 6-year-old Artsplace gelding to victory in a 1:56.3 clocking, this time as the betting favorite.

Assigned the outside position by director of racing Eric Warner, Cactus Creek left from the seven hole and was in front half-way around the first turn and from there it was another catch-me-if-you-can. Marohn gunned the pacer by the quarter pole in :28.1 and they were comfortably two lengths in front as they passed the half in :58. Then with a :28.3 third panel Cactus Creek opened up a six length lead which put his challengers away. The $425,000 lifetime winner just cruised to a six length victory, his third of the season. Second place went to Million Dollar Baby, handled by Jordan Stratton. Early season sensation Southbound Trucker finished third for Greg Merton.

“Again I was little more than a passenger,” Jimmy Marohn, Jr. said after the easy victory by Cactus Creek. “At the finish he was still on the iron. I just aim him and he does the rest.”

Cactus Creek is owned by Reginald Duquay and trained by Jamie Gerard. He paid $4.50 for win.

— John Manzi

Qualifying races held at Vernon

Vernon, NY — The pacer Four One One recorded the quickest qualifying mile on Tuesday night at Vernon Downs.

Performing before a Media Night turnout, Four One One raced on the lead throughout the mile contest and defeated four rivals en route to a 1:59.1 victory, which was recorded during a snowy, chilly evening and over a “good” track.

It marked the first start this season for the 7-year-old gelding, who is owned by Robert Siemski. Chris Lems drove for trainer Wayne Hughes. The career winner of $269,767 was one of 24 horses that competed during the six-race card.

The Downs will begin its 56th pari-mutuel season at 6:55 p.m. on Friday, April 17. The track’s 90-card campaign is scheduled to continue through November 7.

— Jim Moran