from Harness Publicists across North America

Friday’s (August 15) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Yonkers Raceway, Scioto Downs, and Batavia Downs.

J K Pure Pearl, No More Gold N win Yonkers features

Yonkers, NY — Friday night’s co-featured (and moist) $40,000 Open Handicaps at Yonkers went to a pair of consistent veterans in J K Pure Pearl (Jason Bartlett, $3.50) and No More Gold N (Keith Kash, Jr., $7.50).

J K Pure Pearl held off Twin B Tiara (Dan Dube) by a neck in 1:54.2, winning the weekly distaff derby for her 11th win in 23 seasonal starts. Linda Toscano trained the 4-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight for co-owners William Jacobowitz and Camelot & 3 Brothers Stables.

No More Gold N, trained by Kash, overcame the seven hole, easily wiring the Open ‘Cap Trot crowd in 1:56.4. It was the 10th win (second consecutive) in 23 tries for the 10-year-old Down Under Evander’s Gold gelding, who is co-owned by The Inquisitive Stable and Melinda Kash. Tremendous Hit (Joe Anderson) was a loose pocket second, beaten 2-1/4 lengths as the 17-10 favorite.

— Frank Drucker

Conway Maid wins Scioto trot feature

Columbus, OH — Driver Kyle Ater sent Conway Maid to the front early in the featured trot at Scioto Downs on Friday and the 4-year-old daughter of Conway Hall held on to win by a neck in 1:59.

She withstood intense pressure from favored El Hombre Dan and driver Dick Richardson, Jr. who loomed as the winner coming off the last turn. But Conway Maid fought her way to the wire to hold off El Hombre Dan and Balance Spur.

It was the second win in a row for Conway Maid, who is trained by Ed Rider for Christine M. Barnes. She paid $6.00 to win.

Driver Russell Swartz scored a driving triple at Scioto on Friday.

— Dean A. Hoffman

Jack Sparrow Trots Away in Batavia Feature

Batavia, NY — Michael Calimeri’s popular trotter Jack Sparrow took command going to the three-quarters, and never had an anxious moment en route to a 2-¼ length score in the featured $8,500 Open II Trot at Batavia Downs Gaming.

rachorsephoto.com

Jack Sparrow won for the ninth time this year by coming from the two hole in the latter stages of Friday’s Batavia feature

Getting away second from post position seven, Jack Sparrow with trainer-driver Jim McNeight in the bike sat the two hole while the early leader, Ima Cricket Also put up some speedy numbers of :28 and :57.4. Once in front at three-quarters, in 1:28.2, McNeight just let Jack Sparrow, a 5-year-old son of Humerous Harry, tend to his business, reporting home in 1:58.2, the fastest trotting mile of the new meet.

Keptinthecloset, with Ken Holliday in the sulky, finished behind Jack Sparrow, while Iroquoindianbrave, with Troy Boring, wound up third.

The victory gave Jack Sparrow his ninth win of 2008, and it raised his season’s earnings to more than $65,000. He has earned more than $140,000, lifetime. Going off as the favorite, Jack Sparrow paid $6.20.

Bombs away

Earlier on the Friday night program the “Oakfield Flash,” reinsman Denny Bucceri, guided the 24-1 longshot In The Lane to a handy score for trainer Gerald Keene. Keene, along with Bob Gruber and Ron Beback, Jr., had training doubles. Beback also drove three winners on the program, as did Kevin Cummings.

Live racing will resume on Saturday night, at 7:05 p.m. The Downs celebrates the 20th anniversary of the biggest harness race ever held in Western New York, the $268,756 Breeders Crown Mare Trot by rolling back prices on hotdogs and sodas to just 50 cents, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Paddock Room.

For more information visit www.bataviadownsgaming.com.

— Todd Haight