from harness publicists across North America
Wednesday’s (July 7) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows and Monticello Raceway.
Forever Ivy wins Meadows’ $22,500 F&M Preferred Pace
Washington, PA — Forever Ivy worked out a cozy pocket trip, then blazed home in a swift :27.1 to capture Wednesday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Leaving from the rail, Ray Paver guided Forever Ivy to the two-hole behind Red Star Hottie, who had won three straight but was hampered by the nine post and a three-week layoff. Forever Ivy exploited that vulnerability, pouncing on Red Star Hottie late and defeating her by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.4. McGibson was a close-up third.
Charlie Norris trains Forever Ivy, a 4-year-old daughter of Stand Forever-She’s A Ruff One, for Rebecca Ewing.
Dave Palone drove five winners — four for trainer Ron Burke — and Eric Ledford three on the 14-race card.
— Evan Pattak
Monticello Raceway
Add the name of Tyler Buter to those who have defied Horace Greely’s suggestion and went east instead of west. Buter, another new name at the Mighty M this year, scored a driving double on the Wednesday card when he won with Benns Sure Thing in the $7,400 trotting feature and then came back two races later to win with Invincible Hall in the tenth race. For Benns Sure Thing it was his second consecutive Mighty M triumph. His impressive 1:59.3 victory Wednesday came on the heels of the Keystone Nordin 9-year-old gelding’s romp to a 2:01.1 score last week. Owned by Lynette Buter and James Marion and trained by Amber Buter, Benns Sure Thing was sent off as the odds-on favorite and returned $3.30 for win. Buter came back in the 10th race with a catch drive behind Invincible Hall and the youngster put the pacer in the winner’s circle for the first time in 12 starts with a five length triumph in 2:00. The 6-year-old gelding, owned and trained by Brett Smith, paid $3.40 for win.