from harness publicists across North America

Saturday’s (May 2) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Buffalo Raceway and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Bourbon Bay topples Tioga track record

Nichols, NY — Enjoying a solid form spree in early-year stakes events on the Woodbine Entertainment Group circuit, Bourbon Bay ($7.30) shipped south to Tioga Downs as one of six entrants in the Opening Day feature, leaving the other five in his wake en route to a 1:52.1 score in the $14,000 Open Trot.

Fred Brown photo

Bourbon Bay scored in a track record time of 1:52.1.

The 4-year-old Sand Vic gelding allowed Deacons Valley to clear the front early, powering to the fore after a :27.1 first quarter and not looking back. After clearing the lead and continuing through a :55.3 half, lessee-driver John Cummings Jr. opened up on the field with Bourbon Bay, amassing a three length lead through a 1:22.4 third quarter and holding that margin through the far turn.

While 3-5 favorite Twin B Spike Man (Mike Simons) mounted a rally off the far turn, he could only gain into second, 1-3/4 lengths in arrears of Bourbon Bay’s 1:52.1 track record performance. Deacons Valley faded to third after chasing from the pocket.

Megan Wilson handles the training duties of Bourbon Bay, who posted his 14th career win in 30 starts.

The track, rated fast for the Opening Day 10-race card, was truly fast, with seven winners equaling or improving upon their lifetime marks.

While Mike Simons couldn’t prevail with Twin B Spike Man in the featured event, he registered five wins on the program, scoring with My Muscleman ($6.00, 1:55), Lightning Paige ($3.90, 1:54), Twain Drive ($3.50, 1:57.2), Crazy Eyes ($5.50, 1:56.2), and J R Jazz ($9.30, 1:57.1).

— James Witherite

Vernon Downs
After mustering just minor shares in recent tries against top Saratoga company, Panpero Firpo ($19.00) employed a change of tactics in Saturday night’s $10,000 Open Pace at Vernon Downs, closing the pocket behind dueling leaders before pouncing in deep stretch for a 1:51.4 score. The 5-year-old son of No Pan Intended drafted behind an extended duel between JK Panache (Chris Lems) and Talking Blues (Frank Davis), sitting just off them through the first three-quarters of the mile while boxed in by a second-over Damon Blue Chip (John MacDonald), last week’s Open winner. At the top of the stretch, with Talking Blues beginning to fade, Brett Crawford made his move with Panpero Firpo, taking over late and holding off Damon Blue Chip for a 1:51.4 triumph. JK Panache was a worn-down third after enduring steady pressure. Trainer Jackie Rousse owns 16-time winner Panpero Firpo in partnership with Bill Reepmeyer. Additionally, a pair of $4,000 second-round divisions of the Anthony Farina Pacing Series were contested, with trainer Homer Hochstetler and driver John MacDonald teaming up on both winners. Hot Lemonade ($2.40) pushed clear and turned aside a stiff challenge from Flight Again (Truman Gale) for a 1:53.2 victory in the first division, while Speaking Out ($5.80) sustained an uncovered bid to take the second division in 1:55.1. The Anthony Farina Series final is scheduled for Mother’s Day (May 10) along with the Catherine Burton Trotting Series final.

Buffalo Raceway
On a night where the track was lightning fast all night there were some very big winners on the Buffalo Raceway program. Fireyourguns (American Ideal-Villa Hanover) returned to pari-mutuel action this week after a valiant qualifying effort last week with Michael Caprio driving. When the gates swung open Fireyourguns went right to the lead and never looked back. At the half Bahama Bay (Drew Monti) tried to make his presence felt and was joined by Mach Stockn Barrel (Kevin Cummings) on the outside. When they reached the backstretch it was obvious that the field was too tough for Mach Stockn Barrel who never advanced. Fireyourguns set some wicked fractions early in the race and continued that strong effort when they passed three-quarters in 1:25.3. Turning for home it looked like Lucky Nadotremblay might pull off the shocker from the perfect pocket ride, but Fireyourguns dropped and hit another gear, stopping the clock in 1:53.3, just missing the track record by a fifth of a second. Bahama Bay closed strongly to finish a game third. Fireyourguns is trained by Terrance McClory and owned by Terence P. McClory and Jennifer and Robert Lowe. In the co-featured Open II Pace Youwillwishyouhad (Kevin Cummings) continued his dominance after being parked the mile last week and finishing fifth. He left and cleared before the quarter and had no issue getting to the top spot. At the half Salazar made his move and was followed by Bakken who never advanced. Going up the backstretch Unicorn Hanover challenged, but stalled and tried to come back on in the stretch to no avail. Youwillwishyouhad is trained by James Clouser Jr. and owned by Leonard Segall of Clearwater, Fla.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Southwind Terror (Camluck) secured his first local Open Pace victory on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The Rene Allard-trained 5-year-old made his local debut last week and paced away from his rivals to win in 1:52.4, a time that matched the time set by Mickey Hanover for the fastest of the meet. Taking his first shot at the Open, Southwind Terror got a carbon copy trip to that of last week as driver Billy Dobson brushed the speedy pacer up to the lead approaching the half-mile pole. After a third quarter in :27, Southwind Terror hit the wire first, once again prevailing in 1:52.4. Whackamole Hanover (Mark Beckwith) held off Memory Game (Frank Coppola Jr.) in the battle for second in the $18,000 feature. Southwind Terror was the race’s 1-2 betting favorite as he recorded his fourth win of the 2015 campaign.