from harness publicists across North America

Sunday’s (June 9) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga Casino and Raceway and Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Bell On Wheels repeats in Saratoga Open

Saratoga Springs, NY — Bell On Wheels (Western Hanover) won her first local Open last Sunday at Saratoga Casino and Raceway, pulling off the mild upset for trainer/driver Harry Landy. This week, the 7-year-old mare was at it again and went out to the early lead in the $21,400 Open for pacing mares.

Dave Oxford photo

Bell On Wheels was a winner in 1:54.1 in the Saratoga feature.

Despite sizzling through a first half in :56.2, Bell On Wheels had plenty left for the final lap and held strong to win her second straight feature.

Her victory in 1:54.1 marked a seasonal best for the mare who won for the 49th time in her career. The winner’s share of the Sunday purse moved Bell On Wheels to over the $300,000 mark in lifetime earnings.

Saratoga’s defending Pacer of the Year, Don’t Blame Her (Joe Bongiorno), came on strong for second while Blows Me Away (Stephane Bouchard) earned the show spot.

Bell On Wheels went off at odds of 6-1.

Live racing resumes on Wednesday evening with a first post time set for 6:45 p.m.

— Mike Sardella

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
Romantic Moment picked up her first victory of 2013 in impressive fashion, hanging tough on the front end to win the featured $25,000 Preferred Pace for Mares on Sunday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Coming off a 3-year-old season in which she won 10 of 16 races, Romantic Moment (American Ideal-Time N Again) had come up winless in her first four starts of 2013 before her trip to Pocono for trainer Jimmy Takter. She was the 2-1 second betting choice in the field of eight from the five hole, but she proved herself the best by leading at every pole in the mile. Despite challenges from Four Starz Roe first-over on the backstretch and Rock N Soul from the pocket down the lane, Romantic Moment, with Andrew McCarthy in the bike, dug deep and nipped Rock N Soul by a neck in 1:50.2. Lorrie Please picked up the show. With her first win of the season, Romantic Moment, owned by Brittany Farms, now has 13 career victories. Her lifetime earnings now stand at $1,026,927.