from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (July 4) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Buffalo Raceway, Tioga Downs, Saratoga Casino and Raceway and Harrah’s Philadelphia.

BZ Glide impressive in Buffalo Raceway Open Trot

Hamburg, NY — After battling the entire month of June at Tioga Downs, BZ Glide returned to Buffalo Raceway on Friday night (July 4) and re-acquainted himself very quickly to his usual surroundings and posted a solid 1-3/4 length victory in the $10,500 Open Trot in 1:59.2.

Steve Roth photo

BZ Glide returned to Buffalo Raceway and was a winner in the Open Trot.

BZ Glide, driven and owned by Mike Caprio, drew the eight post but was helped by two scratches (Force Nine and Absolutely Certain) which put him in the six spot. The 5-year-old gelding began the first over journey just before the half-mile pole and took the lead from the pace-setting Fiorentina just past the three-quarter station.

At the top of the stretch, BZ Glide (Yankee Glide-Bloomer Zoomer) had opened up a three length lead and the only question left in the race was who was going to take the minor rewards. It was a mad scramble between the five remaining entrants with Jon Win (David McNeight III) taking the place position while Fiorentina (Kevin Cummings) held on for third.

It was the second win in eight starts this season for BZ Glide ($4.50), who is trained by Alana Caprio. The victory moved his 2014 earnings to $24,150 and $73,750 lifetime.

— Brian J. Mazurek

Tioga Downs
Before a healthy Independence Day crowd, Antigua Hanover ($4.40) held off a late charge from Solid Queen to take the Friday distaff feature at Tioga Downs. The $11,000 Miracle Mile 2 pace for fillies and mares featured a field of six, with Ideal Helen (John Cummings Jr.) dictating the pace early after clearing from the extreme outside. After rating a :56.2 half-mile, Brandon Simpson advanced first-over with 6-5 favorite Antigua Hanover. Midway up the backstretch, the 4-year-old Somebeachsomewhere mare pushed clear of Ideal Helen, carrying Sinspirational (Aaron Byron) into second through a 1:24.3 three-quarter split. While edging clear by 1-3/4 lengths off the far turn, Antigua Hanover soon found herself in the sights of Solid Queen (Corey Braden), who rallied late off cover, but only could close to within a half-length of Antigua Hanover’s 1:53.3 victory. V’la Faire (Mike Merton), also a beneficiary of late live cover, sustained a late bid to take third. Amber Buter trains Antigua Hanover for Oldford Farms and Tyler Buter.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Traverse Seelster came to Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Friday night for the first time off an eye-popping mile at Harrington Raceway in Delaware. Under the care of trainer Amber Buter for the first time, the 6-year-old trotter was assigned the outside post in Friday’s $17,000 Open Trot. Leading driver Billy Dobson floated the race’s 1-5 favorite out early and landed him mid-pack. Moving first over at the half-mile pole, Traverse Seelster (Angus Hall) appeared overpowering and cruised by the front running Just Like Lloyd (Mark Beckwith) before stopping the timer in 1:56. Count Speed (Wally Hennessey) also made up quite a bit of ground in the final half to finish second in the feature while longshot A Megabuck (Chris Long) came on for third. For Traverse Seelster, the victory in his local debut was the 29th of his career in 98 starts and served as one of three on the evening for Dobson.

Harrah’s Philadelphia
A winners over $25,000 lifetime pace for fillies and mares was the featured event on Friday afternoon’s card from Harrah’s Philadelphia. Champion mare Anndrovette, looking to add to her lofty lifetime earnings, was the post time favorite at 4-5. As the wings closed, it was Fast And Feisty and Camille leaving hard for the lead, with the latter clearing just past the quarter. The fractions were solid as Anndrovette applied first over pressure, but Camille sprinted away at three-quarters and went on to an impressive nine length triumph, stopping the clock in 1:49.3. Fast And Feisty was second, while Anndrovette finished third. Camille continues to add to her lifetime winnings, which now exceed $1 million. She is owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, M1 Stables and Jack Piatt III, is trained by Ron Burke, and was one of three driving wins on the card for Yannick Gingras.