from Harness Publicists across North America

Friday’s (Dec. 4) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Isle Pompano Park, Yonkers Raceway, The Meadows and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

Artandi, Special Sweetheart undefeated at Pompano

Pompano Beach, FL — The great run of luck for trainer Tom Artandi continued on the Friday evening, December 4 program at The Isle Pompano Park. He’s returned to the winner’s circle with all four starters he’s sent out so far this meet in South Florida.

Skip Smith/Lap Time photo

Andy Santeramo was in the bike behind Special Sweetheart as the filly controlled the pace over six older rivals in 1:53.

Artandi pupil Special Sweetheart, on the tail end of a 3-year-old season that saw her amass over $500,000 in 2009 earnings by competing in the continent’s major stakes for her division, romped again Friday night in the $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. This week, Andy Santeramo was in the bike behind the Western Ideal-Ladys Special Girl filly to control the pace over six older rivals in 1:53. Last week, Special Sweetheart set the track record for her division in 1:52.1 which eclipsed the mark set eighteen years ago by Miss Easy.

Alice Springs with Bruce Ranger in tow and Chapsboots N Spurs with Wally Hennessey gave futile chase to Special Sweetheart down the stretch as Santeramo offered only minimal late urging to secure the comfortable win. This victory pushed her career earnings to more than $670,000 for the 4 For 3 Stable of New York.

Huge Night On Saturday

One of the biggest nights of the year at The Isle Pompano Park is set for Saturday evening, December 5 for the annual Florida Super Night. Over $330,000 in purses is offered this year to the top State bred 2 and 3-year-olds over eight events. It’s also the unveiling of the track’s doubleheader Saturday night performances, with post time for the Florida Breeders’ Stakes at 7:05 p.m. followed by a second eight race card at 9:45 p.m.

— Frank Salive

Green Day becomes a millionaire

Yonkers, NY — Perfectionist (Dan Dube) showed no respect to her elders Friday night, wiring Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $36,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Perfectionist finished what she started, widening to 2-1/2 lengths at the wire in 1:54.

For Perfectionist, a 3-year-old Brittany Farms homebred daughter of Western Ideal trained by Jimmy Takter, she returned $17.40 (sixth choice) for her second win in 22 seasonal starts.

Friday night’s co-featured $36,000 Open Handicap Trot saw pole-sitting Force Nine (Stephane Bouchard) last on the lead.

Force Nine led through weigh stations of :28.3, 59.1, 1:28.2 and 1:57.4 before holding Self Professed (Brennan) at bay late.

Special Friday night props to Green Day, who became harness racing’s newest millionaire with a win in the $26,000, high-conditioned trot. Green Day (Pat Lachance, $4.70) went the distance in 1:57 for his 22nd career victory.

The 5-year-old Enjoy Lavec gelding, trained by Mary Raymer for Trillium Racing, had his career highlight here, winning the 2007 Yonkers Trot. Green Day’s career earnings now stand at $1,002,671.

— Frank Drucker

Tom’s Ok Lady scores handily in Meadows return

Washington, PA — Tom’s OK Lady, who sharpened her game against tough male competition at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, had little trouble dispatching the girls Friday in The Meadows’ $27,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot.

Although she didn’t win in four Pocono starts against such rugged customers as World Champion Dennis and Lolique, Tom’s OK Lady performed respectably and was more than ready for her return to her home base at The Meadows. Dave Palone sent her first up from fifth, and the 6-year-old daughter of Inquirer-This Gal’s OK swooped the field to score in 1:55.3.

Teagan, dismissed in the wagering at 84-1, closed well for second, 2-1/4 lengths back, while Whotookwhat rallied for show. Ron Burke trains Tom’s OK Lady, who pushed her career bankroll north of $500,000, for Burke Racing Stable, M1 Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Bethann Palone.

— Evan Pattak

Renoir extends streak to five

Saratoga, NY — Renoir continued his incredible season at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Friday night as the claiming pacer recorded his fifth consecutive win. The Melissa Beckwith trainee has been claimed a few times this year but landed in her stable when it was all said and done.

With Mark Beckwith at the lines, the 6-year-old moved to the lead early on Friday before drawing off to another open length win. Just the week before, Renoir beat the $7,500 claimers by almost ten lengths.

On Friday, the gutsy pacer again drew away past three quarters and blew it wide open before stopping the timer in 1:56.1 amongst the $6,000 claiming ranks. It was the eleventh victory of the year for the Rich La Cava owned pacer as he made good at odds of 1-5 to complete his fifth straight victory.

— Mike Sardella