by harness racing publicists across North America
Wednesday’s (Jan. 11) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Dover Downs, The Meadows and Buffalo Raceway.
Frost Free Hanover wins second straight at Dover
Fotowon photo
Frost Free Hanover made it two straight in the Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday at Dover Downs.
Dover, DE — Frost Free Hanover with Vic Kirby made it two straight win in the $20,000 Open Handicap Trot on a Spring-like Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Dover Downs. Similar to last week, Frost Free Hanover came from off the pace to beat Uva Hanover (Tony Morgan), second, and Tough Mac (Corey Callahan), third, in a three-horse driving finish to score a 1:53 victory in the feature race. Fourth heading to the last turn Kirby found room and streaked home for the Cantab Hanover-Free Spirit gelding’s third win of the meet for trainer Jim King and owner Richard Poillucci.
Kirby came right back to drive Steel Reserve to a 1:53.4 triumph in the $15,500 sub-feature trot for 4&5-Year-Olds. This time, it was via the passing lane that Steel Reserve got up to edge Celebrity Pegasus (Art Stafford Jr.) and took his second win in his last three outings. Kirby and Chris Giaccio own the Credit Winner-Iron Lass brown gelding. Go Byem (Jim Morand) led from before the half to nearing the finish line but had to settle for third.
Vic Kirby and Corey Callahan led all drivers with three wins each. Allan Davis, George Dennis and trainer Dylan Davis had two winners.
The top pace of the week, a $30,000 Preferred, matches Little Ben, Dancin Yankee and Clear Vision in an eight horse feature race.
— by Marv Bachrad
The Meadows
Medusa stalked Skippin By from the pocket, then edged by her late to capture Wednesday’s (Jan. 11) $18,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows. Skippin By took the field through leisurely fractions of 27.4/57.4, but when she sprinted home, she could not shake Medusa. The 6-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Mythical took the outside route for Tony Hall and nipped Skippin By by a head in1:54.3 over a “good” surface. Spreester finished third. Randy Bendis trains Medusa, who vaulted over $400,000 in career earnings, and owns with Tom Pollack. Dave Palone and Hall each collected three wins on the 13-race card.
Buffalo Raceway
It may be a new racing season but Wanna Rock N Roll continued to be up to her old tricks as she pummeled the field in Buffalo Raceway’s $10,000 featured pace for the mares on Wednesday night (January 11). After completing the 2016 season at Batavia Downs with three consecutive victories, Wanna Rock N Roll ($4.10) showed the holiday break and change of venues didn’t quell her appetite for winning as she easily put away her five rivals by 6-1/2 lengths in 2:00.2. Wanna Rock N Roll (Rocknroll Hanover-Cams Leading Lady) had 10 wins in 30 starts in 2016 with $71,220 in earnings. Starting from the assigned six post, driver Drew Monti sent Wanna Rock N Roll right to the top off the starting gate, posting fractions of 30.0, 1:01.1 and 1:30.2 over the good track. Tiger Boudoir, who sat the pocket, broke stride at the top of the stretch to scatter the field. The miscue wouldn’t have mattered as Wanna Rock N Roll was long gone. Warrawee Qually (Larry Stalbaum) won the tight battle for second place with My Tallia Ideal (David McNeight III) finishing in third. Owned by Rose Campbell and trained by Steven Kiblin, Wanna Rock N Roll is a 6-year-old mare who has now produced 22 wins in 92 career appearances, putting $237,477 in the bank. There were some big prices to be had on the opening night card as Heavenly Place took the first race and returned $45.00 while in the seventh race, First Of Fun notched a $93.00 victory.
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Dave P
alone and Hal
l each co
llected
three wins on the 13-race card.