from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (Feb. 7) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows and Buffalo Raceway.

Automatic Slims squeezes out a win in Meadows co-feature

Washington, PA — Desperate for late racing room, Automatic Slims poured through a narrow opening Friday and captured a $15,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life Pace at The Meadows.

With his main rival penned up, Rockin The House appeared to have the race wrapped up. But Brett Miller guided Automatic Slims to clearance, and the 8-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight-Natchitoches roared to a head victory in 1:52.3 on a “good” track — although he had to survive an inquiry into possible interference during the decisive move. Drumfire A was third.

Brewer Adams trains Automatic Slims, who has won four of his last five starts, for Laurie Patistas.

Miller also took the companion Winners Over $10,000 Life feature with Ballistic Tip by 1-1/4 lengths over I’m Banksy, with Sonic Dancer third. Andy Rickert conditions Ballistic Tip, a 4-year-old son of Real Desire-Ladybrightkillean, for Thomas O’Donnell.

Miller and Dave Palone each drove four winners on the 15-race card.

— Evan Pattak

Buffalo Raceway
Studio City needed every step of the mile to run down the front running Lutetium in the $10,500 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway Friday night. Lutetium (Kevin Cummings) set the fractions with marks of :29.1, 1:00 and 1:31 and tried desperately to make every step a winning one. He was close but no cigar. Studio City and Buffalo Raceway’s leading driver Billy Dobson had other ideas. Starting a first over trip down the backstretch the final time, Studio City ($7.10) began a slow but methodical grind in chasing down Lutetium. Then in the shadow of the wire, he managed to poke a head in front to capture the win in 2:01.2 over the “good” track. Cedarridgetag (Peter Wrenn) took the show position. It was the first victory in four starts for Studio City this season. He has now earned $9,135 in 2014 and $133,868 lifetime. The 5-year-old gelding is owned by Scott Woogen and Lisa Denison and is trained by Lisa Lederhouse.