from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (Aug. 12) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows, Batavia Downs and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Certified Ideal takes Meadows feature

Washington, PA — Certified Ideal quarter-poled to the lead, withstood a serious challenge from Do Me Honor and captured Wednesday’s $18,000 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.

Let go at a healthy 6-1, Certified Ideal had little trouble reaching the front but then was confronted by the menacing uncovered bid of Do Me Honor. The 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal-Areba’s Last dug in for Tony Hall and defeated Do Me Honor by a nose in 1:52, with Macharoundtheclock third.

Randy Bendis trains Certified Ideal, who now boasts $380,033 in career earnings, and owns with Mike Novosel Jr., Tom Pollack and James Walton.

Dave Palone piloted five winners on the 14-race card while Eric Goodell and Hall each enjoyed a three-bagger.

— Evan Pattak

Batavia Downs
Ugly Betty returned to western New York after a quick trip to Northfield Park and wasted no time dominating the local mares once again in the $9,500 distaff Open at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night. In her normal style, Ugly Betty (John Cummings Jr.) went right to the front and led by two through quarters of :27.3, :56.4, and 1:25.3 before coasting home to a one length victory in 1:55.3. Eyemajet (Shawn Gray) came up the rail for second and All About Boyz (Dave McNeight III) rallied from last to finish third. It was the tenth win in 25 start this year for Ugly Betty ($3.80), boosting her pocketbook to $62,505 for owners Margaret Payne and Jennifer Falcone. Rex Clabaugh trains the winner. Drew Monti scored a driving triple on the night with VT’s Gold Key ($12.00), Climate Hanover ($3.40) and September Hall ($5.70). Kevin Cummings and John Cummings Jr. both registered driving doubles. Trainer Rex Clabaugh also sent two winners postward. Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Aug. 14) with post time set at 6:35 p.m.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Seafood Missy (American Ideal) scored first over in career best fashion on Wednesday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway to complete a double for trainer-driver Brian Cross. The 3-year-old pacing filly has been competing in Excelsior Series races for much of the summer and following a pair of breaks qualified before competing in Wednesday’s $8,900 conditioned pace for fillies and mares. First over on the race’s favorite Status Warrior (Chuck Connor Jr.), Seafood Missy kept plugging away before dueling the leader into defeat. The fourth win of the season for the filly came in 1:56.4, a new lifetime mark. Cross also piloted trotter Maggie’s Brand (CR Excalibur) to a first over score earlier in the night in the $8,250 NY sired trot. Cross trains and co-owns Maggie’s Brand who matched her career mark with a 2:00.3 score on Wednesday. Live racing continues at the Spa on Thursday with a first post time set for 7:05 p.m.