from Harness Publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (November 26) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Dover Downs, Cal-Expo, and Pompano Park.

Victors Vicky wins fifth straight in feature at Dover

Dover, DE — Victors Vicky extended her winning streak to five, stepping up to win the $26,000 Open Trot at Dover Downs on Wednesday. The sport’s leading driver Tony Morgan had five wins, while meet leader Corey Callahan added three.

Fotowon photo

Victors Vicky posted her fifth straight win in the Wednesday feature at Dover.

In her first visit to the feature trot ranks, Victors Vicky handled the jump in class easily for her 10th win of the year for Fabulous Farms, extending the Richard Johnson-conditioned daughter of Valley Victor-Deaconess Hanover’s seasonal bankroll to $145,350.

While Rose Run Flash (Mike Cole) and LT’s Best (Vince Copeland) battled for the lead at the three-quarters, Corey Callahan waited patiently until the final turn before moving Victors Vicky three wide and the pair vaulted into the lead and won convincingly in 1:56.2. Joey The Jet JT (Tony Morgan) was enjoying a trip behind the battling pair, but could not get to the passing lane soon enough, before rallying to finish second. Rose Run Flash was a brave third.

For the second time in two nights, the photo finish camera could not separate two horses on the finish line. In the $18,000 trot, J&E Stable’s Go Nano Go (Balanced Image-Cool Reins), with Eddie Davis, Jr., cut out the mile only to share first place with fast finishing Safari Heat (Striking Sahbra-Sun Victory), driven by Vic Kirby for Tom and Gregg Morris. The time was 1:57.1. Veteran Breeze Hill Will (Morgan) came on strongly in the stretch to finish third. It was the second time in little more than a month that Go Nano Go was involved in a winning dead heat.

— Marv Bachrad

Gentle Dragon can be a bit thankful at Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Conditioned-claiming pacers were featured at Cal-Expo on a special Wednesday holiday card, on which Gentle Dragon won nicely while having lady luck on her side.

Gentle Dragon got away in fourth position into a :29.4 first quarter over a sloppy track from post two for driver Rick Plano in a field of nine. Plano would move his filly into second-over position to the three-eighths pole.

Remaining well positioned through a first half-mile, timed in 1:00.2, Plano wouldn’t waste much time before calling on his pacer, as he’d move his charge three-wide with 7-16ths of a mile to go.

“I moved her when I did because she felt very good and was full of pace,” said Plano. “I just wanted to get around the front two horses by the time I hit the middle of the final turn.”

Now flying three-wide before racing first-over at the five-eighths pole, Plano, as he wanted, would clear to the front before the field hit the midway point of the last turn.

Reaching the three-quarter marker, timed in 1:30.1, Plano would pop the earplugs of his sophomore pacer soon after that juncture.

“When I popped the plugs, she got even stronger.”

Now in full gear into the stretch, Plano would have to deal with a brushing Camelot Cavalier (James Kennedy) to the seven-eighths pole. Was he concerned as he gave Gentle Dragon a one-hander?

“I was concerned for sure because it looked like Camelot Cavalier was coming upon me, but he broke. Had he not made the break, it’s very possible he might have won. From there, it made it kind of easy for me, and thus we were able to coast home.”

Now all alone and under no urging, Gentle Dragon would win ($7.80) by 3-3/4 lengths. Owned by Rick and Marlene Thomas and trained by Bernie Wolin, Gentle Dragon would stop the timer at 1:58.4. Red Star Ruffles (Robley Johnson) finished with pace while second, and Sing Herbie Sing (Luke Plano) finished another three-quarters of a length farther back in third.

“It was a good mile — especially for tonight’s conditions,” concluded Plano.

— Scott Ehrlich

Rick Harp closes in on 1,500th career win

Pompano Beach, FL — After winning the second race trot with Zapperann ($4.00) in 2:00.2 at the Isle Pompano Park on Wednesday, trainer/driver Rick Harp is now one win away from his 1,500th career victory.

The 48-year-old Vassar, Michigan resident is the son of George Harp, Jr., who is an inductee of the Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame. Rick Harp nearly reached the milestone win Wednesday in the eighth race, finishing second by a nose.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Express Messenger won the $7,300 featured trot at Pompano Park in 1:58.2.

Express Messenger ($20.00) made a three-wide move in the backstretch for driver Anthony Napolitano and despite being parked out the entire final turn, was able to pull away from the field to win the seventh race $7,300 trotting feature.

It was the seventh win this year for the 7-year-old mare by Carry The Message. She won by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:58.2. Amazing Hanover (Kevin Wallis) was second with Armbro Baroque (Henri Filion, Jr.) third.

Rosie Huff and the Tight Wallet Stable own Express Messenger.

— Steve Wolf