from harness publicists across North America
The Friday (June 15) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Buffalo Raceway and Vernon Downs.
Empire Earl N returns to winning ways at Buffalo
Hamburg, NY — In the past three weeks, Empire Earl N teased the fans with in the money finishes but came up empty in the win column. He turned things around in a big way on Friday night (June 15) in Buffalo Raceway’s $11,500 Open Trot by erasing those bitter memories with a half-length decision over B Z Glide.
Steve Roth photo
Empire Earl N went a career-best 1:57 in taking Buffalo Raceway’s Open Trot.
While the win was more than well deserved, the victory didn’t come easy either. Empire Earl N, Buffalo Raceway’s 2017 Trotter of the Year, needed a career-best 1:57 to get the job done. His previous lifetime mark was 1:57.1 established last season at Batavia Downs.
B Z Glide (Mike Caprio) was the quickest off the starting gate and put up panels of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:28.3. Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) drafted along perfectly in second while Barn Winner was first-over with a quarter-mile to trot. It was a mad dash to the wire with Empire Earl N rushing through the passing lane to snag the popular $4.10 victory while B Z Glide and Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) had to settle for second and third place, respectively.
Owned by Kimberly Asher and trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum, Empire Earl N (Earl-Santa Nita) now has found the winner’s circle five times in 16 appearances in 2018. The 10-year-old gelding has produced $38,913 in earnings this season and $200,753 lifetime.
Racing will resume on Saturday evening with a nine-race card slated for 6 p.m. There is a $795 carryover that awaits in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race. For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, simulcast schedule, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.
— Brian J. Mazurek
Vernon Downs
Roll With Sparky (John MacDonald) won the featured $8,000 fillies and mares pace on Friday night at Vernon Downs. Mydelight Bluechip (Ben McNeil) led the group into a first quarter of :27.3. Roll With Sparky ($6.80), who is owned by James Graham, Lee Winters and Paul Tandlmayer and trained by MacDonald, took over the lead just before the half and put up all the rest of the numbers (:56.2, 1:24.1, 1:52.2). Blameitonthenight (Jimmy Whittemore) came charging late in the stretch but had to settle for second. Delilah De Vie (Claude Huckabone Jr.) was third. Roll With Sparky is a 4-year-old mare by Roll With Joe. It was her second win of the season and career victory number 12. MacDonald also won on the night with Drea’s Good Powow ($6.20). Claude Huckabone III also had two wins on the night. He won with Heart Crusher ($6.80) and Marquesa Seelster ($5.60). Vernon Downs returns to live racing with a nine-race card on Saturday starting at 6:10 p.m. For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.