from harness racing publicists across North America

The Friday (Oct. 20) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Batavia Downs, Hollywood Dayton Raceway and Vernon Downs.

Racing Roundup: BZ Glide dominates in Batavia feature

Batavia, NY — Getting a favorable draw after having post seven last week, BZ Glide looked like his old self as he handily won the $10,500 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 20).

Paul White photo

BZ Glide wins by two lengths at Batavia Downs on Friday evening.

Leaving from post four driver Mike Caprio hustled BZ Glide to the front and proceeded from there comfortably in :28.1 and :58.4. At the second station Northern Matador (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled first up and tried to pressure the leader for the next quarter mile. When that challenge failed, Noble Legend (Ray Fisher Jr.) tipped three-wide around him and tried to get to BZ Glide through the last turn.

But with little more than a backward glance to keep an eye on the competition, Caprio sat chilly in rhythm with his horse and BZ Glide trotted away down the lane to an easy two-length victory in 1:58.

It was the second win in the last three starts and fifth of the year for BZ Glide ($7.00) who is owned by the Caprio Stable LLC and trained by Alana Caprio.

In the co-featured $8,000 Open II trot, Osprey Vision (Ray Fisher Jr.) got the parking ticket to the quarter before clearing and eventually opening up a three-length margin of victory in 1:57.1. With his ninth win of the year and $60,954 in earnings, Osprey Vision ($7.20) is having a career year for owner Marissa Russo and trainer David Russo.

Billy Davis Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr. led all drivers with three wins apiece on the night.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 21) with post time at 6 p.m.

— by Tim Bojarski

Hollywood Dayton Raceway

Kiss Me Onthebeach, enjoying her second straight $100,000-plus earnings season, topped Hollywood Dayton Raceway’s finest distaffers on Friday night (Oct. 20) winning the $18,500 featured race in 1:51.2. The 4-year-old Somebeachsomewhere lass left the gate enthusiastically for driver Chris Page reaching the quarter-mile marker in :27.1. With her eight talented adversaries seated along the pylons most of the second quarter, Kiss Me Onthebeach reached the midway point of the mile in :55.2, then accelerated through the third panel in 1:22.4 before closing with a :28.3 final quarter to close the deal by about two lengths. Jerseylicious attempted a first-over bid to reach Kiss Me Onthebeach’s wheel during the middle half, but had too much ground to make up from her assigned outside post position. Town Temptress (Kyle Ater) launched a three-wide attack at the three-quarter station, but could do no better than second at the finish. My Tweed Heart (Josh Sutton) used a ground-saving trip to salvage the show dough. The win was the seventh on the season for Kiss Me Onthebeach, and 12th of her 46-race career. Owned by the Willow Oak Ranch, the Danny Collins trainee has now surpassed $300,000 in lifetime earnings. The victory was the fifth on the night for Page.

Vernon Downs

Sweet Ashley T (Jimmy Whittemore) captured the featured trot ($9,000) at Vernon Downs on Friday night (Oct. 20). Pop I (Chris Lems) would carve out all the early fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.1. Sweet Ashley T (Conway Hall), who is owned by South Of The Tracks Racing Inc. And trainer Homer Hochstetler, would sit the pocket all the way to the stretch. She would slip by on the inside to win in 1:55.4. Pop I settled for second with Jersey Boy (Ben McNeil) nailing down the third spot. Sweet Ashley T ($15.80) won for the fourth time this season and the ninth time in her career. Whittemore added two more wins on the night. His other wins were with McKenzies Star ($2.90) and Pier Ho Exotic ($2.10). John MacDonald keeps on rolling he would add four more victories on the night. He won with Stirling Accord ($47.80), Steuben Magic Ride ($3.90), Major Master Piece ($2.10), and Master Of Puppets ($6.90). Michael Miller piloted big longshot American JJ (RC Royalty) to a win by charging late down the stretch in 1:55.3. The 4 year-old horse would pay $90.00 for the win. Vernon Downs returns to live action with a 10 race card on Saturday (Oct. 21) starting at 6:45 p.m. For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.