Unusual Clarity and trainer-driver Ron Harp slipped by pacesetting favorite Special Olivia late to capture the $6,500 distaff pacing feature at Vernon Downs on Friday (May 12).
Rick Finn, 64, dies
Richard D. (Rick) Finn, 64, of Crete Ill., died May 6, 2023, after a short but hard battle with cancer.
Fortunes changing for Alan at Buffalo
After a pair of excruciating losses in late April, a flip of the calendar to May has changed the fortunes of Alan. For the second straight week, Alan ($9.60) went gate-to-wire and blitzed the field in the $15,500 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday afternoon (May 12). He put away Megabank K by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:57.2.
South Beach Star shines in Philly feature
South Beach Star was parked most of a :53.3 first half en route to a 1:48.2 win at Pocono last week; on Friday (May 12) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding saved the :53.3 half for the back of the mile, holding off favorite Lou’s Pearlman by a halflength in 1:49.1 to take the $20,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Red Mile yearling and stallion nomination payments due May 15
Red Mile has announced that yearling and stallion nomination payments are due May 15 for the Kentucky Futurity, Tattersalls Pace, Bluegrass Series and International Stallion.
Delaware, Ohio, Grand Circuit yearling nomination reminder
Owners are reminded that the yearling nomination payments for the Delaware (OH) Grand Circuit events for foals of 2022 (to be raced in 2025) are due May 15.
Special Way has got ‘it’ for Svanstedt
Special Way gives Ake Svanstedt a special feeling. A returning Dan Patch Award winner, Special Way needed two starts last year before everything clicked, but once it did, she was unbeatable. She finished her campaign with seven consecutive victories, capped by a Canadian-record 1:52 mile in the Breeders Crown final for 2-year-old female trotters at Woodbine Mohawk Park. For the season, the daughter of Walner-Special Hill earned just shy of $700,000, tops among freshman filly trotters. On Saturday, Special Way will make her seasonal debut in the second of two $30,000 first-round divisions of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for 3-year-old female trotters at The Meadowlands.
Refined takes Open Trot on Scioto’s Opening Night
Refined made her first start back in four months an impressive one, leaving from the eight hole to win by two lengths in 1:52 on Eldorado Scioto Downs’ opening night. Driven by Tyler Smith for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr., Refined went off at 5-2 and paid $7.60 to win in the $30,000 Filly & Mare Open Trot.
Carpenito going full steam ahead at Running Aces
Steve Carpenito is now in his third year as the top man on the racing side of things at Minnesota’s five-eighths-mile harness racing oval, Running Aces, and he is well settled into the role.