by harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (July 1) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Harrah’s Philadelphia, The Meadows and Running Aces.

De Francesco III wins four at Harrah’s Philly

Chester, PA — Trainer Anthony De Francesco III had four training wins on the Wednesday afternoon (July 1) card from Harrah’s Philadelphia.

The first of which came when Joseph Laino’s ER Room (Yannick Gingras) survived a :26.2 opening quarter to get the job done. The 6-year-old son of Cambest won for the thirteenth time in his career. It was his third win of the season, setting a lifetime best 1:52 in the process. He paid $4.20.

Six races later, Louis A. and Louis M. Di Tullio’s Red Carpet Dude (Dave Miller) scored an upset victory ($57.20). The 6-year-old son of Camluck tracked live cover up the backstretch, establishing prime position for his final push, which ended in a two length victory, and a 1:53.1 clocking. It was his first win for De Francesco III, who is also part owner.

Once again the Di Tullio’s reached the winner’s circle, this time with 6-year-old gelded pacer Special Blend (Eric Abbatiello). The son of The Panderosa drafted in the pocket spot after leading the first quarter-mile. He was able to punch through the passing lane for his eleventh career victory out of ninety-nine career starts. It was his first win of the season, paying $33.00 to win.

Just two races later, in the finale, Dante Scattolini Sr.’s Sonny McDreamee overcame post eight to score the upset win. The 10-year-old trotting gelding out of Angus Hall went right to the front and made every call a winning one, stopping the timer in 1:57.4. It was his twenty-second win out of one hundred and sixty lifetime starts, and his first win in the De Francesco barn. He paid $21.40 to win.

There was no winner in the Pick-4. The carryover for Thursday afternoon is $1,935.43. Post time is 12:40 p.m., with the Pick-4 getting underway in race seven.

— Mike Bozich

The Meadows
At Press Time scorched the last quarter in 26.4 en route to victory in Wednesday’s (July 1) $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows. Fifth down the backside for Dave Palone, At Press Time followed the live cover of Royal Heart before peeling off for his blistering stretch rally. He scored in 1:50.4, 3/4 lengths better than Hillbilly Hanover in the Lightning Lane. Early leader Ideal Magic saved show. Ron Burke trains At Press Time, a 4-year-old son of Western Terror-So Right who now boasts $475,862 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Burke, Palone and Aaron Merriman each enjoyed a three-bagger on the 14-race card.

Running Aces
After a formful early double, Race three started the parade of long shots on Wednesday (July 1) night at Running Aces, as the 8-year-old gelding Stonebridge Lyric posted a sharp 1:51.3 score at 12-1 in the $7,000 Open II for owner Ray Soh, of British Colombia, trainer Sean Lancaster and driver Travis Bowman. The win mutuel was $27.20. About 15 minutes later in Race four, Lemoyne (Mooney) Svendsen steered his own trainee, Super Son Of Sandy to a very sharp wire to wire effort in 1:55.2 at 28-1 on the board. He is owned by Robert Larkey of Iowa. The win mutuel was $59.40. Races five and six were somewhat formful but offered nice exotic payoffs nonetheless. In Race seven the nice 10-year-old stallion Major Hottie posted his 2nd win in 3 starts in 1:54 for owner Garett Isman of Manitoba, he is trained by Justin Anfinson and was skillfully piloted by Kim Pluta. The win pushed the stallion’s earnings to just under $750,000 lifetime, and he was a surprising 7-1 long shot paying $16.40 to win. Race eight was the Wednesday nightcap and did not disappoint the long shot lovers, as the 4-year-old Gerald Longo owned-trained and driven Barbosa used the open stretch to full advantage,finding the wire first at 19-1, pacing in 1:54.4 and posting a $40.00 mutuel.