from Harness Publicists across North America

Tuesday’s (March 16) Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows and Dover Downs.

Dougs Fame roars off the bench to win Meadows pace

Washington, PA — Dismissed at 10-1 and returning from an 11-week layoff, Dougs Fame scored in a sizzling 1:51.1 — fastest mile this year at The Meadows — in Tuesday’s $25,000 Preferred Handicap Pace.

Sitting second down the backside, Dougs Fame and Dave Palone confidently brushed past the leader, Hennessy Hanover, and opened up four lengths, just enough to hold off the desperate late charge of Mystery Chase by a nose. Western Bay finished third.

Ron Burke trains Dougs Fame, a 5-year-old son of Apaches Fame-Armbro Vertical who extended his career bankroll to $314,976, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables and W.W. Haas, Jr.

The card also featured two $15,000 opening leg divisions of the Wheel of Fortune, an early-closing series for 3- and 4-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

Foolish Attempt captured his split with a sweeping three-wide move for Brett Miller that carried him to victory in 1:55, a career best. Up Front Mustang, who was parked the entire mile, raced gamely to be second by 3-1/4 lengths, with early leader Big Native third. Jim Rothfuss trains and owns Foolish Attempt, a 4-year-old I Am A Fool-Keystone Musical gelding.

Expensive Toy took his Wheel of Fortune division with a similar move, shedding backside cover early and nailing the pacesetting Double Dribble at the wire in 1:55.1, a lifetime mark. I Like It Hot was a ground-saving third. Clay Faurot, Jr. drove, trains and owns Expensive Toy, a 3-year-old gelded son of Camotion-Costly Toy.

In a $30,000 claiming race, Southwind Go Go Go and State Of The Union crossed the wire together in 1:51.4, fastest dead heat ever at The Meadows. The pair broke the 2003 record of 1:52.3 established by Brad’s Gold and Western Millenium. Tony Hall piloted Southwind Go Go Go for trainer Kris Rickert and owner Dale Wareham while Palone handled State Of The Union for trainer Tammy Cummings and Double Up Stable. Click here to view a video of the race.

Palone drove six winners and Miller three on the 13-race program.

— Evan Pattak

Boots Place wins Mares Open for third time at Dover

Dover, DE — After a second place finish last week, Boots Place returned to the winner’s circle for the third time in four weeks in the $30,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Tuesday.

Fotowon photo

Boots Place was a neck winner over Apache Dame.

Eric Goodell got Boots Place away sitting second behind front-pacing Apache Dame until deep stretch when the Park Place-Put The Boots 5-year-old closed along the inside to score a 1:51.3 lifetime best mile in the week’s top distaff event. Bernard Segebade owns the winner of four of eight races this year, banking $75,040 in purses. Apache Dame (Ross Wolfenden) was a game second with Boca Hanover (Frank Milby) third.

Kellytuck Sophie closed strongly for Jon Roberts to win the $20,000 mares sub-featured pace with a 1:53.1 performance. Perfect M Forever (Goodell) led from the start to the next to last step. Itz Cherry Ripe N (Ron Pierce) just got up to finish third. Kellytuck Sophie, owned by M&W and Graham Grace stables and trainer Bib Roberts, won for the first time in two months and had dropped down from the Open class.

— Marv Bachrad