from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (Aug. 2) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Tioga Downs, Batavia Downs and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Brownsville Bomber captures Tioga Downs feature

Nichols, NY — Brownsville Bomber returned to Tioga Downs on Friday night and captured the featured $12,000 Fillies and Mares Miracle Mile 1-2 handicap.

Fred Brown photo

Brownsville Bomber was a 1:51.4 winner in the Tioga feature.

Assigned post six in a field of six, Fern Paquet, Jr. settled in third as Prairie Lee (Jim Meittinis) took the field through an opening quarter of :27.1. By the fans and the stands for the first time, Paquet quickly moved Brownsville Bomber to the front and controlled the fractions of :55.3 and 1:23.3.

Around the final turn, Paquet asked Brownsville Bomber for more and the mare responded with a :28.1 final panel to capture the race in a new lifetime best of 1:51.4.

Ed Hart trains the 4-year-old daughter of American Ideal–Cantor’s Daughter for Joseph Betro, Ian Behar and Kristi Leigh Farm Inc. The win was the second of the year in 15 outings for Brownsville Bomber, who increased her seasonal bankroll to more than $61,000.

Fern Paquet, Jr. posted a driving triple on the night’s 10-race card and in the process captured his 2,500th career win in the last race of the night with Dreamnwillie who is conditioned by his wife, Jamie Paquet.

— Dustin Ross

Batavia Downs
Ray Fisher, Jr. made a triumphant return to the sulky Friday night as he guided Ziegfeld to an impressive victory in the $8,500 Open Trot at Batavia Downs. Fisher was involved in a serious accident at Buffalo Raceway on July 12 when he suffered two broken vertebrae and a broken pelvis. The 2013 Buffalo Raceway leading driver showed no lingering effects of the spill, however, in steering Ziegfeld to the win. Fisher also won the tenth race with the John Hallett trained New York Attitude. Mythical Hall played catch me if you can and showed the way to the half-mile in :58.2. Ziegfeld ($8.60) and Fisher, who were sitting third, went first over just before the three-quarter pole and trotted strongly past the stubborn Mythical Hall (Ron Beback, Jr.) in the lane to post the one length victory in 1:58. Keyodee Star (Jack Rice) finished third. Owned by Michael Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama, Ziegfeld has won eight times in 20 starts and earned $51,760 on the 2013 campaign. Ron Beback, Jr. was the driving star of the evening, guiding home three winners, while James McNeight and Elliott Deaton had doubles.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Flashy Lady beat the boys to pull off the mild upset in Friday night’s Open Trot at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Brandon Simpson trains and drives the mare who started from the rail but got away fourth in the $18,000 feature. Mikey Hanover, the race’s favorite, tired on the front end after setting fast fractions in the early going and Flashy Lady (CR Excalibur) took advantage. The 8-year-old trotter fought gamely throughout her first over journey and got up to win a photo in 1:56.1. Victory Tax (Shawn Gray) finished a close second while On The Tab (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) earned the show spot. Flashy Lady, who moved her career bankroll over the quarter million dollar mark with the victory, returned $19.00 to win.