Brandon Blvd and Darlin’s Angel were convincing winners in a pair of Tompkins-Geers events on Saturday night (Aug. 1) at the Meadowlands.
Author: by Frank Cotolo, for the Meadowlands
Apex, Big Ranger convert in Hambletonian elims
Apex, Marcus Melander’s millionaire trainee, stamped himself as a likely favorite for next week’s $1 million Grade 1 Hambletonian by way of a gutsy 1:50.4 win the first $100,175 elimination for the 101st edition of the classic for 3-year-old trotters on Saturday (Aug. 1) at the Meadowlands. Big Ranger delivered a statement win in the second elimination, leaving his nine foes well in his wake for a decisive 1:50 score.
‘Grand Slam Gray’ stars Saturday at Batavia
Driver Shawn Gray made the four-hour drive from Saratoga to Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 1) worth it after scoring four wins on the card, including wins in both co-feature races. Those features were $9,500 Class A events — one on the trot and one on the pace — and were won by Double Class and Moved Bythe Spirit.
Carve, ‘Lissy’ upset; Setyoursightshigh rolls in Oaks elims
A pair of upsets landed in the trio of $50,175 eliminations for the Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands on Saturday night (Aug. 1) with Carve and Busy Miss Lissy S finding the winner’s circle in their respective eliminations while Setyoursightshigh, off the slight third choice in the betting, also clinched a victory.
Super Duper Cooper leads Boyd grand slam
Braxten Boyd scored four driving wins, including the $16,500 Open Trot with Super Duper Cooper, at Tioga Downs on Saturday (Aug. 1).
Humble A wins thrilling Vernon Open
Humble A (Chris Long) charged late and hung on to win the $8,500 Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (Aug. 1).
American Fling uses perfect trip to win Pocono feature
American Fling got a perfect trip then struck the front late to win Saturday afternoon’s (Aug. 1) $18,500 fast-class pacing feature at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania in a lifetime best 1:48.4.
OHHA reschedules TV and Tickets giveaway
Due to inclement weather, the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association has rescheduled its TV and Tickets event initially set for Saturday (Aug. 1) at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
Dame Frances fronts freshmen in KY Championship opener
Erv Miller’s precocious Pebble Beach filly Dame Frances will look to stay undefeated following a track-record 1:50.4 performance at Oak Grove when she starts as the 2-1 morning line favorite in the $80,000 Kentucky Championship Series opening leg at the Red Mile, carded as the sixth race on the 15-race card this Tuesday (Aug. 4).
Dayton Derby supplements due Aug. 15
Horses not initially nominated to the $250,000 Dayton Derbies, for older horses of each sex and gait, to be raced at Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday, Oct. 3, may be supplemented to the events for a fee of $10,000 due Aug. 15.