by harness racing publicists across North America

The Sunday (Aug. 7) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Tioga Downs and Running Aces.

Coulter sweep Tioga pacing feature

Nichols, NY — Scott Coulter, the leading driver at Tioga Downs with six weeks remaining in the 2016 meet, enjoyed a sweep of Sunday (Aug. 7) afternoon’s featured events, capturing both $9,000 Open II paces carded on the 12-race program.

In the seventh event, Coulter sustained gains with Energy Shakes ($23.20) without the aid of cover en route to a 1:53 win as the longest shot on the board. The 5-year-old Western Terror gelding gradually gained on pacesetter Pier Ho Temptation (Jim Taggart, Jr.) through the far turn, striking the front at the eighth pole and holding off a belated charge from even-money favorite Dee’s Rocketman (Fern Paquet, Jr.) by half a length. Lilys Real Boy (Corey Braden) and Prairie Jaguar (Jim Meittinis) mounted rallies from well off the pace to narrowly miss the runner-up spot. Dan Morrissey trains Energy Shakes for owner Leona Morrissey.

Fred Brown photo

Andreios Kardia dominated Open II company in Sunday’s co-featured tenth race at Tioga Downs.

The afternoon’s 10th race saw Andreios Kardia ($4.10) return to his winning ways by way of a drastic change of tactics. While his success at the Open II level earlier in the season came by way of stalking and closing efforts, the 5-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding brushed to the fore with a circuit to go and maintained a rapid pace throughout.

Andreios Kardia drew off easily at the top of the stretch, posting a 4-1/4 length margin of victory over the late-rallying Vangura (Braden) and Always N The Money (Jim Marohn, Jr.), who tired after chasing from the pocket. Andreios Kardia dominated in 1:50.3 for owner/breeder Ina Madill and trainer Jeffrey Byron.

A non-wagering Racing Under Saddle event was contested early in the afternoon, with Hyway Marcus making his bid off a clear tracking trip a quarter-mile from home en route to a clear 9-length victory. The 5-year-old Gut Instinct gelding covered the one-mile journey in 1:59.1 with Maria Buchanan in the irons for owner Marohn Racing, LLC and trainer Patti Harmon. The Franchise (Michelle Crawford) mounted a stand-side rally to take second, while Funny Photo (Sophie Engerran) stayed on off a wide stalking trip to save third.

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Thursday (Aug. 11) evening, with post time slated for 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Horsemen are advised that entries for the Thursday card close Monday (Aug. 9) morning at 9:00 a.m.

— by James Witherite

Running Aces

The Sunday night card at Running Aces played host to the 3-year-old Minnesota-sired trotters, competing for a robust $16,500 purse, and it would be the filly Bombshell Betty with Jim Marino driving who would charge fastest to the wire this night, stopping the clock in 2:00.4 and registering a three-quarter length tally over Mr Jackpot (Dean Magee) and Margin’s Echo (Rick Magee). She got away fourth off the gate and was sent in motion just past the half-mile pole by Marino with a first-over charge that took her all the way to the winner’s circle. Bombshell Betty ($2.80) now sports six wins this season and eight lifetime for owners Jesse De Long and Tabatha Canaar. She is trained by Justin Anfinson. The regular Sunday night feature was the $13,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses and geldings and this edition would see another very talented field of nine line up behind the gate for the contest. When the gates folded Holdingallthecards ($8.20) with Dean Magee served immediate notice to the field that he meant business, charging to the front. He faced a very strong challenge from Jazzmanian Devil (Mooney Svendsen) through the entire first three-quarters of the mile, but he turned back all challengers and had the field stacked up three-wide chasing him home. In the end Holdingallthecards, trained by David Ginter, would score by one length in 1:52.4, posting his 33rd lifetime win and fourth of the season. He padded his lifetime bankroll to $350,317 for owners William and Richard McIntyre. Dry Ice (Steve Wiseman) checked in second and Prodigal (Kevin Anderson) was home third. The next card of live harness racing action at Running Aces will go to post on Tuesday (Aug. 9) at 7 p.m. (CDT).