from harness publicists across North America

The Friday (Aug. 17) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Batavia Downs, Tioga Downs and Saratoga.

Cummings wins five, Sarama two at Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Two longtime Batavia Downs regulars put up big numbers on Friday night (Aug. 17) in front of a packed apron and sold out clubhouse on a beautiful late summer evening in Genesee County.

First, perennial driving leader Kevin Cummings won half the card, scoring five wins on the night, pulling away from his fellow drivers for the dash lead at the meet. Cummings won with Keystone Keen (1:56.4, $4.10), Striker Ace (1:57.2, $5.40), Gold Star Sonata (1:57.1, $4.00), Southern Palms (1:57, $21.20) and Northern Matador (1:59, $3.00).

Cummings is firmly entrenched as the current driving leader to this point with 27 wins, seven ahead of his nearest competitor. He is chasing his fifth title at the Downs and is off to a flying start.

Then legendary western New York horseman Gerry Sarama conditioned the winners of both featured trots, winning each with ease and returning double-digit payouts to boot.

Paul White photo

Southern Palms trotted home the best and won by two lengths in 1:57.

In the $10,000 Open Handicap, Southern Palms (Kevin Cummings) got off to a slow start fourth as Ruddy Rusty (Jim McNeight Jr.) was rolling down the road with a four length lead in a fast :56.4 half. Southern Palms took advantage of the fractions and came second over at three-quarters behind Call My Broker (Ray Fisher Jr.) who was rushing the leader.

At the head of the stretch the three were even across the track but Southern Palms trotted home the best and won by two lengths in 1:57, which was a new seasonal mark.

The very next race in the $8,000 Open II, Sarama decided to send Theresnoway (Ray Fisher Jr.) right down the road and he never looked back. After getting to the half in :58.2, Fisher let out the lines and Theresnoway opened up five by three-quarters and eight by the top of the stretch and from there he cruised to the wire much the best by eight in 1:57.1, which was also a new seasonal mark.

Southern Palms ($21.20) and Theresnoway ($11.40) are both owned by Mike Torcello.

Bedsides the big nights had by Cummings and Sarama, driver Drew Monti and trainer John Mungillo each added two wins to their meet totals.

The annual Race to Defeat Breast Cancer fundraiser and silent auction that was held by the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester and sponsored by Batavia Downs was a rousing success as donations collected amounted to more than $12,000 and beat last year’s total.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 18) with post time set at 6 p.m.

— Tim Bojarski

Tioga Downs
On Your Six (Ross Wolfenden) won the $9,000 featured fillies and mares pace at Tioga Downs on Friday. On Your Six ($3.00) took over just before the first quarter and controlled all the fractions (:27.4, :56.4, 1:24.3, 1:52.2). Owned by David Banks and trained by Wolfenden, she never had an anxious moment as nobody ever came close. Embassy Seelster (Fern Paquet Jr.) was second best with Northern Dali (Mike Simons) finishing third. On Your Six is a 5-year-old mare by Yankee Cruiser. It was win number five this season and career victory number 19. Fern Paquet Jr. won two on the night. His wins were with A Wish For Wings ($5.10) and Gold Star Aurora ($7.30). The driver’s win title remains tight. Jim Meittinis and Aaron Byron are tied with 47 wins each. Mike Merton is third with 46 wins. Jim Taggart Jr. is fourth with 45 wins. Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday with an 11-race card starting at 6:15 p.m. For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.

Saratoga
Sally Fletcher A (American Ideal) was offensive minded from the get-go in Friday’s feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Bruce Aldrich Jr. powered the Jose Godinez-trained distaffer out to the early lead in the $14,500 Fillies and Mares Open and the speedy mare never stopped. After posting a sizzling first quarter in :26.3 over the sloppy going, Sally Fletcher A did get a second quarter breather before reaching the half in :56.3. The 7-year-old distaffer then went pedal to the metal in the third panel as the race’s favorite came calling first-over. Sally Fletcher A posted a :27.2 third quarter before pacing off to win in 1:52.2, matching the fastest time of the year for a lady pacer at the Spa. The track’s top mare in 2018 is Spreester (Frank Coppola Jr.) and that Paul Zabielski trainee nearly overcame her outside post on Friday as she finished second in the feature. Longshot Stylish Beachwhere (Jordan Derue) earned the show spot. Sally Fletcher A was the second-choice in the wagering while going off at odds of 2-1. The exacta with Spreester second paid $30.60 while the triple returned $189. The win was the second in the local feature in the career of Sally Fletcher A who also scored in a December installment of the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga. Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 7:05 p.m. first post.