from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (June 7) edition of Racing Roundup features a results story from Tioga Downs, Saratoga Casino & Raceway, Buffalo Raceway, Vernon Downs and Northfield Park.

All Spirit strong in Tioga Friday night feature

Nichols, NY — All Spirit and Jimmy Marohn Jr. got back to business on Friday night capturing the $16,000 fillies and mares open pace.

Fred Brown photo

All Spirit captured the $16,000 Fillies and Mare Open Pace on Friday at Tioga Downs.

Marohn left alertly from post position number three in a field of six, getting away second behind Odds On Aventure at the quarter pole in 26.4. By the fans and stands for the first time, Marohn moved All Spirit to the front and controlled the half-mile mark of the race in 55.3. Down the backside and headed towards three-quarters Aaron Byron pulled Little Santamonica first-over from third and raced head-to-head with All Spirit by three-quarters in 1:23. Around the final turn it was clear Marohn still had plenty left in the tank and quickly dismissed the strong bid from Little Santamonica and opened up on the field to win comfortably by a length and a half in 1:51.3. Brownsville Bomber (Fern Paquet Jr.) paced home late to finish second, while Little Santamonica (Aaron Byron) held tough for third.

The win was the second of the season and established a new seasonal best for the 7-year old daughter of Bettor’s Delight–Spirit Of Ivy for owner Larry Lanpher and trainer Judy Lanpher.

Greg Merton posted a driving triple on the night’s twelve race card, while Jim Taggart Jr., Corey Braden, and Aaron Byron each recorded doubles.

— Dustin Ross

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Pay The Winner won his second consecutive Open trot on Friday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The Sam Schillaci trained 5-year-old was coming off a victory in which he clocked the fastest win time of the year for any trotter at the Spa with his 1:55.1 score last week. This week, with one big brush heading to three-quarters, Pay The Winner (Credit Winner) and Stephane Bouchard surged into the lead before prevailing for the third consecutive week, the second straight win in the $20,000 Friday feature. Bound For Fame (Bruce Aldrich Jr) was the runner-up while Slugfest (Jay Randall) earned the show spot in the 1:57 Open over a track labeled “good.”

Buffalo Raceway
Berosus, a 9-year-old Angus Hall gelding, won the $11,000 Open Trot in a season’s best 1:58.3, for owners Michael A Ouriel and Larry S Vinik, here at Buffalo Raceway Friday night (June 7), over a fast track. It was the eighth win in eighteen attempts this season for Berosus. Berosus ($24.80), dismissed by the bettors at 11-1, settled in fourth from post four with driver Drew Monti in the bike, as eventual second place finisher Mythical Hall (Kevin Cummings) cut all the fractions in the race, :28.4, :59.1, and 1:29. As the field hit the top of the stretch, Berosus swung to the outside, after being first-over from the 5/8 pole, and with a :29.2 last quarter-mile beat the favorite by one-half length at the wire. Hour Lavec (John Cummings, Jr.) came in third. Trained by Don Rothfuss, the $5,500 share of the winning purse put Berosus’ season’s earnings at $35,181, and $280,781 lifetime. It was his 51st win in 150 lifetime starts.

Vernon Downs
The pacer How Forever Feels produced the fastest mile during Friday night’s 11-race program at Vernon Downs. Chris Lems did the driving over a rain-soaked, good track in Friday’s fifth race as How Forever Feels forged up from third in the early going to gain a lead before the half that he wouldn’t relinquish. The gritty 14-year-old gelding continued on to a 2-1/2 length tally in 1:53.3 for trainer Lonny Hale and owners Dr. Michael J. Kessler and the Speed To Burn Racing Stable. Competing in his last season of pari-mutuel competition, the bay son of Stand Forever-Highland Tranquil now sports 47 career victories and earnings of $360,000.

Northfield Park
Miss Two Punch captured the $6,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace for owners Tracy Root and Kathleen Doubrava-Root of Macedonia, Ohio in the ninth race on Friday (June 7) at Northfield Park. Tracy Root also trains the mare and called upon Elliott Deaton to drive. Miss Two Punch (Allamerican Ingot-Matilda Hall-Cambest) started from post seven and was last in the early stages. She let her competition set fractions of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:26.4. Deaton asked her to go and she made a sweeping move in the third quarter, circling the field and holding a half-length margin of victory, stopping the timer in 1:56. Completing the race were Pebble Creek, Posey Patch, Haley Louise, Osborne’s Sweeper, Rockratese and It Must Be Magic. The 6-year-old now has 16 career wins and earnings of $105,132. She returned $11.00 to win.