from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (July 23) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Batavia Downs and Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Bazooka Terror takes opening feature at Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — An enthusiastic crowd lined the fence to welcome back live harness racing at the oldest lighted harness track in North America and their zeal was rewarded with a great slate of exciting contests on a warm summer night.

Paul White photo Credit

Bazooka Terror scored easily in her Western New York debut with Shawn McDonough in the sulky.

The feature race was the $9,500 Mares Open Pace where newcomer Bazooka Terror established her status the first start out of the box as she soundly defeated her competition in 1:55.4.

Bazooka Terror got away fourth as Case Solved (John Cummings Jr.) and Mondatta (Ron Beback Jr.) argued for the lead in :28. But just before they hit the half, Shawn McDonough pulled the mare first-over where she seemed to hang a bit before getting in gear. By the time they hit the three-quarters in 1:26.2, Bazooka Terror found her stride and motored around Case Solved as they skated through the turn.

When they hit the top of the stretch, McDonough was rocking and knocking and Bazooka Terror responded to pull away to a widening two length victory.

Bazooka Terror is owned by her trainer, Leonard Segall. This was her sixth win of the year and it pushed her bankroll to $43,904 for 2014. She returned $6.20 for the win.

In the co-featured $7,500 Open Mares Trot, Love Me Do took a huge step in class and thought nothing of it as she cruised to a five length victory in a seasonal best time of 1:59.

Love Me Do was claimed last week for $8,000 after winning that race from post seven in 2:00.1. Apparently liking what he bought, trainer Alex Giuliani wasted no time in promoting her to the top level for her sex and gait this week and the move paid off.

Love Me Do left and tucked third as 3-2 favorite Fiorentina (John Cummings Jr.) took the front and began to cut the mile. After a :29 quarter and :59 half, Love Me Do tipped at the five-eighths and took the lead past the three-quarters in 1:28.4. When she got the lead, she got away from the pack and scored an easy five length victory, her sixth of the year.

The time of 1:59 was a seasonal mark for Love Me Do and the winner’s share raised her annual earnings to $31,397. She paid $10.20 to win. Love Me Do is owned by Mark Jakubik.

Reinsman Kevin Cummings carried his hot hand over from the recently concluded Buffalo meet, winning four times on opening night while 2013 Batavia leading dash driver Shawn McDonough notched a triple.

— Tim Bojarski

Harrah’s Philadelphia
Talented 3-year-old trotter Madewell Hanover picked up his fourth straight win in the Wednesday featured trot for non-winners of $12,500 in their last five starts or non-winners of seven pari-mutuel races. The heavy favorite coming in was another 3-year-old, Kelly Walker’s Don Dorado. The Hambletonian hopeful brushed to the front past the opening quarter and held the lead until the stretch. In the end, however, it was Madewell Hanover outdueling Don Dorado in the final strides, closing home in :28.3 and completing the mile in 1:54.2 for his seventh career win. Madewell Hanover is owned by trainer/driver Chris Ryder. Don Dorado held place, while longshot Sina closed for third.