The Friday (Aug. 23) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga Casino Hotel, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs.

Bontz N captures Saratoga feature

Saratoga Springs, NY — With no Open on the docket, the $12,500 Winners Over for fillies and mares was the feature on Friday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Bontz N (American Ideal) was making her local debut for trainer Gary Levine as she went off as the public’s 1-5 betting favorite in the Friday feature. The New Zealand invader was coming off a decisive victory at Yonkers and once again was pointed to the front-end in her local debut.

Bontz N paced home in :27.2 to stop the timer in 1:53.3 to prevail in her first start at the Spa. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

Bontz N got a second quarter breather after clicking off a first quarter of :27.4 before the favorite got her first test as she led the charge to three-quarters, a challenge that came from Come Get The Cash (Jay Randall). The long first-over journey for Come Get The Cash resulted in a second-place finish as Bontz N paced home in :27.2 to stop the timer in 1:53.3 to prevail in her first start at the Spa. Come Get The Cash was a strong second while Poppy Drayton N (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) earned the show spot.

Bontz N paid just $2.50 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $14.60 and $25.40, respectively.

Leading driver Billy Dobson piloted Bontz N to her victory in the feature.

Live racing continues on Saturday night with a first post time set for 7:05 p.m.

— Mike Sardella

Tioga Downs

Truth And Liberty (Mike Simons) captured the $11,000 Fillies & Mares Open 1 at Tioga Downs on Friday. Juxta Cowgirl (Aaron Byron) led to the first quarter in :26.4. Truth And Liberty ($4.10) took over as they went by the stands for the first time and led to the half in :55.4. She was the first to the three-quarter pole in 1:24. Gigi From Fiji (Wally Hennessey) came first over as they went around the final turn. Truth And Liberty, who is trained by Simons and owned by Fairy Horsemother Stables, shook off Gig From Fiji. She then held off the late charge from second place finisher K J’s Caroline (Jim Taggart Jr.) to win in 1:52.2. Gigi From Fiji finished third. Truth And Liberty is a 7-year-old mare by Total Truth. She has won four straight in the Open 1 at Tioga. It was her eighth win this season and her 43rd career victory.

Leading driver Wally Hennessey drove four winners on the night. He combined with trainer Mike Deters for wins with Mach West ($3.30) and Prairie Midnight ($9.40). He teamed up with trainer Jim McDonald for the other two wins. They won with Odds On Cheddar ($14.40) and Tap Tap Tap ($3.30).

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (Aug. 24) with a 12-race card starting at 6:15 p.m.

— John Horne

Vernon Downs

First Call (Homer Hochstetler) won the $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday. Only Passing Thru (Jimmy Whittemore) grabbed the early lead. First Call ($5.10) took over the lead just before hitting the first quarter in :28.2. Only Passing Thru had to settle for the pocket trip and watched as First Call went to the half in :58.2. First Call continued to lead hitting three-quarters in 1:27.1. Only Passing Thru popped out of the pocket as they made the turn for home. The two trotters slugged it out all the way down the stretch. First Call, who is trained by Homer Hochstetler for owners Robert Buddig, Allen Schwartz, and Connie Hochstetler, dug in and would not be denied, winning in 1:55.2. Only Passing Thru had to settle for second. American JJ (Michael Miller) finished third. First Call is a 4-year-old mare by Credit Winner. It was her third win this season. She now has won 13 times in her career.

Jimmy Whittemore drove three winners on the night. He got his wins with Gracie G ($35.60), Bold Fresh ($9.40), and Southwind Vixen ($10.40). Gates Brunet was driver-trainer for two wins. He got his wins with Meghan C ($12.60) and Michelle Christine ($2.50). Ben McNeil drove two winners on the night. He came in first with Jersey Boy ($8.90) and Gimmesomeroom ($3.70).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (Aug. 24) with a 13-race card starting at 6:10 p.m.

— John Horne