from harness publicists around North America

Thursday’s (July 7) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Vernon Downs, Ocean Downs and Monticello Raceeway.

Fox Valley Sage turns textbook trip into feature win at Vernon

Vernon, NY — Fox Valley Sage turned a textbook trip into a 1:52.2 victory during Thursday night’s $10,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs.

Vernon Downs photo

Fox Valley Sage won the feature race at Vernon Downs on Thursday night in 1:52.2.

Starting from the outside in the week’s Open contest for female pacers, Fox Valley Sage ($6.40) stayed in the runner-up position behind the pace-setting newcomer Golden Ace until the final turn, then swooped to the lead and drew off for a 3/4-length triumph.

Trainer Ralph Andersen did the steering for owner Stephen J. Farrell, Jr. as the 7-year-old daughter of Richess Hanover-Pink Cadillac collected her second Open score in succession, third win at the meet, fourth in 2011 and 25th all-time. While coming within two-fifths of a second of her lifetime mark, the bay battler increased her career earnings to more than $271,000.

— Jim Moran

Ocean Downs
The 2nd leg of the Austin Thomas Memorial Pacing Series was raced Thursday night at Ocean Downs. In the first division Ross Wolfenden drove Go Flyin N to victory in 1:56.3. The 12-year-old mare is owned and trained by Ross Wolfenden. Go Flyin N has earned more than $300,000 lifetime. In the second division John Wagner drove Winning Solution to a wire to wire victory in 1:57.3. Winning Solution is trained by Janet Davis and was owned by Ryan Davila, Harrington, De.

Monticello Raceway
Last year Sophisticat won more races (18) than any other trotter in North America. However, this year hasn’t been nearly as fruitful for the 6-year-old daughter of Earl, but on Thursday afternoon, July 7, Sophisticat returned to last season’s form and blew away her competition in the daily trotting feature when Bruce Aldrich, Jr. guided her to a 2:00.3 triumph. “She seemed like her old self today,” Aldrich said after the victory. “We did get a good trip (a two-hole journey), but when I pulled her at the top of the stretch she dug-in and trotted away from the others and won by three of four lengths.” Actually, Bruce, the margin of victory was three lengths but who’s counting. Second place in the mile went to Dua Don N, a New Zealand-bred, altered son of Sondon, who came into the contest off two very easy wins against lesser caliber trotters. For Sophisticat, it was only her second season’s triumph and her 31st in 118 lifetime trips to post. She paid $7.00 to win. Sophisticat is owned by Aldrich and Stanley Indig.