from harness publicists around North America

Tuesday’s (May 4) Racing Roundup features stories from Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, the Meadows, Harrington Raceway and Monticello Raceway.

Cassis wins Wyoming Valley Trot final at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Tim Tetrick, one of the premier catch drivers in North America, has stamped Cassis as the one to beat in the 2010 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes following the 3-year-old Cantab Hall colt’s victory Tuesday (May 4) in the $35,000 Wyoming Valley Trot final at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

“He’s very easy to drive,” said Tetrick in the winner’s circle following his victory with Cassis. “I never really asked him for more. He’s a very nice colt and I believe will be tough to beat in the PA Sire Stakes.”

Cassis, one of three trotters in the race trained by Ray Schnittker, left from the post position one in the seven-horse final.

It was Schnittker who grabbed the early lead from the post position two with 1A Homerun Hitter, getting to the first split in :28 seconds. Before the three-eighths pole, Tetrick took command with Cassis, getting to the half in :58 seconds and three-quarters in 1:27.4, followed by Schnittker and Homerun Hitter, who could get no closer than second some 3-1/2 lengths back. Third went to 31-1 longshot Telephoto (Don Irvine Jr.), six lengths back.

The coupled entry of Cassis and Homerun Hitter went off as the 1-9 fan favorite.

Cassis is now a perfect three for three in 2010 and four for five lifetime. The winning time was 1:56 equaling the lifetime mark of Cassis.

— John Zimich

Southwind Go Go Go prevails in Meadows Preferred Pace

Washington, PA — Southwind Go Go Go used a quick burst from the gate to secure the pocket, then charged through the Lightning Lane to capture Tuesday’s $25,000 Winners Over $10,000/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.

Tony Hall hustled Southwind Go Go Go to the front, where the 9-year-old Grinfromeartoear-Radiant Rachel gelding willingly yielded to Sand Benelli. With that rival under siege on the outside around the far turn, Southwind Go Go Go shot the pylons to prevail in 1:53.2.

Southwind Lark, who was first over forever, finished second, 1/2 length back, with the shuffled Armbro Billow third. Kris Rickert trains Southwind Go Go Go, who now boasts $267,995 in career earnings, for Dale Wareham.

In a conditioned pace, Meirs Hanover blazed home in 1:51, fastest mile this year by a 3-year-old colt pacer on a 5/8-mile track. Brett Miller drove the son of Artsplace-Mary Mattgalane for trainer Brian Brown and owners David Van Dusen, Michael Cimaglio and Strollin Stable.

— Evan Pattak

Cruzinforalivin N back to winner’s circle at Harrington

Harrington, DE — Joe Muscara’s Cruzinforalivin N (Daryl Bier) used a strong late charge to win Tuesday’s $20,000 Mares Open Pace feature at Harrington Raceway in 1:52.4.

Trained by Jeff Clark, the 7-year-old Live or Die mare settled in fourth off the early pace before making her move on pacesetter Alpine Gold N approaching the half-mile.

She gained ground steadily before hitting her best gear late to grab the win. Alpine Gold N was second, while Red High Heels finished third.

After the April 15 nominating payment for the Bobby Quillen Memorial ($315,000 est. Final) for aged pacers 44 were nominated, including Australian standout Auckland Reactor, and last year’s winner Won the West. There is a $5,000 supplemental nomination due July 15 for horses who missed the April 15 deadline. Eliminations will take place on September 13 with the final on September 20.

— Matt Sparacino

Merton wins four at Monticello

Monticello, NY — Greg Merton reined four winners on the Tuesday afternoon card at Monticello Raceway. With his victories, Merton is now in third place on the local leaderboard with 85 wins, four behind Billy Dobson’s 89, but both reinsmen trail hot-handed Bruce Aldrich, Jr. who leads the colony with 144 victories.

Merton began the day winning the first race with Richard Carney’s good looking 4-year-old The Panderosa gelding High Point in a seasonal best of 1:55.4. His next triumph came in the fifth race behind Jay Platt’s Civilized Hanover in a 1:56.4 clocking.

Then Merton later won two races for owner-trainer Jennifer Lappe. He reined Hopulence to his second consecutive victory this week in 1:57.1 and then won the 12th and final race with Lappe’s Dominus N in 1:58.3.

“It was a perfect day for me,” Merton said. “I had four winners here and two seconds at Yonkers and for the day I had four wins and two seconds in seven drives.”

Jennifer Lappe, the talented, all-around horsewoman from Campbell Hall, N.Y. — she also drives and even shoes her own horses — is now second in wins on the trainers’ leaderboard with 36. And that amount was produced in just 83 starts! When you add 21 seconds and five thirds to her totals she’s cruising along with an incredible .594 universal training percentage.

Not to be forgotten, but overshadowed on Tuesday, Zeke Parker managed one driving victory and now needs just eight more for 10,000.

— John Manzi