from Harness Publicists across North America

Saturday’s (September 5) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Yonkers Raceway, Vernon Downs, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Scarborough Downs, Scioto Downs and Batavia Downs.

Jeremy’s Successor wins Yonkers Open Pace

Yonkers, NY — Jeremy’s Successor, odds-on choice among the populace, took it to the house Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 Open Pace.

Shane Strassberg photo

Jeremy’s Successor won the Yonkers Open in a time of 1:53.

With Jason Bartlett driving for trainer Dean Eckley, Jeremy’s Successor was in play early from post position three. He worked his way around pole-sitting Pandora’s Sox (Billy Dobson) before a :27 opening quarter-mile. Jeremy’s Successor then rated a soft, :29.1 second quarter before Southwind Tabor (Greg Grismore) moved from fourth.

That one prompted the pace toward a 1:24.3 three-quarters, with Jeremy’s Successor taking a 1-1/4 length lead into the lane. The leader turned into a drifting-but-safe winner, beating Pandora’s Sox by a length in 1:53. Southwind Tabor was third, with Arduous (Jim Pantaleano) and King Cat Anvil N (Jordan Stratton) elbowing their way for the remainder of the cash.

Jeremy’s Successor, a 5-year-old Mach Three gelding owned by Andrea Ann Hill, returned $3.60 for his eighth win in 18 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $9.10 with the triple (three wagering favorites in order) returning $31.40.

— Frank Drucker

New York county fair circuit winners crowned

Vernon, NY — Nowerland Collins, Plumbers Helper, Vagra and Always Best were crowned champions of the 2009 New York county fair circuit at Vernon Downs on Saturday night.

Nowerland Collins, who was able to compete for purse money only in the $8,000 title tilt for 3-year-old trotters due to an illness scratch of Toast Of The Town, rallied from fifth at the half and closed from second in the final quarter to post a neck victory over Barron Ritch (the pari-mutuel winner) in Saturday’s first race. Jimmy Whittemore drove for trainer Jody Weidman and registered owners Paul and Pauline Nower as the bay daughter of Sir Taurus-Celebrate Collins secured a 1:59 record, her fifth season’s score and increased her lifetime winnings to more than $16,200.

Plumbers Helper also came from behind in Saturday’s third race to earn top honors in the 2-year-old pace. With Dave Fisher teaming for trainer and owner Joe Robbins, Jr., the bay son of Pro Bono Best-Equal Pay advanced from fifth at the half and third entering the homestretch to defeat Hamptimburgh by 1-1/2 lengths. The 1:58 performance is a personal best for the career-winner of $10,175, who shows four wins in nine starts.

Fotowon photo

Always Best (#2) held off Betting Molin by a nose to win in 1:55.3.

Vagra, a homebred still registered to Doug and Tyra Ackley, turned a pocket trip into a lifetime best 2:01.2 triumph in Saturday’s fourth event, and improved his record to seven wins and four second-place finishes after 13 trips to the track. Doug Ackley did the driving as the bay son of Dream Vacation-Agra became the swiftest altered freshman high-stepper at the meet and improved his career bankroll to $18,843.

Always Best, carrying the favorite’s mantle in Saturday’s sixth race, led from start to finish and was able hold off the on-rushing Betting Molin to record a nose victory in 1:55.3. The career-best mile resulted in the fifth win in 13 season’s starts for the 3-year-old son of Pro Bono Best-Armbro Spring, who now sports winnings of more than $11,000 for owner Dean La Clair. Vernon’s top provisional pilot Leon Bailey did the steering for trainer Darwin La Clair.

The pacers Speed Skater (Josh Marks driving) and Up Front Rudy (Whittemore) finished in a 1:52.4 dead-heat for win in Saturday’s fifth race.

Whittemore, the current dash-leader with 89 wins after 64 programs, and Marks, the defending champ, each chalked up triples during the 10-race card, as did trainer Weidman.

— Jim Moran

Voyageur wins featured trot at Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Chosen Voyageur, driven by Eric Goodell and fresh off a $25,000 claim by Susan Oakes, won the featured trot of the Saturday afternoon card at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Leaving from the two post, Goodell quickly took command of the race and took the nine-horse field to the opening quarter in :27.2 followed by Striking Mystery (George Napolitano, Jr.) and Around And Over (Anthony Napolitano). Chosen Voyageur would win the race in 1:53.4 with Striking Mystery second and Scots Photo (Joe Pavia, Jr.) third.

A 6-year-old Balanced Image gelding, Chosen Voyageur was winning for the seventh time in 23 starts in 2009 and for the second consecutive week would be claimed out of this race. Chris Oakes trained the Saturday afternoon winner in the $25,000 claiming trot.

Through 12 races, Napolitano had collected three wins and was making his first start back at Pocono after a bad accident on the racetrack Tuesday evening. Napolitano landed on his head in that mishap and had to be taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released. He did sustain some bumps and bruises but was back driving the very next day at Harrah’s Chester.

— John Zimich

Season of speed continues at Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — The season-long speed show continued at Scarborough Downs on Saturday as for the first time in the 59-year history of the fabled raceway all dashes on the day’s card were contested in sub-1:59 form.

Michael Newman photo

Kevin Switzer, Jr. engineers the winning effort behind Three Button Door at Scarborough Downs on Saturday.

“It’s a testament to the improved quality of racehorses that have been brought into the state since the opening of Hollywood Slots in Bangor,” said Downs Marketing Director Susan Higgins. “We remain hopeful that this trend will continue as we at the Downs strive to secure approval of a southern Maine racino of our own. Imagine the possibilities once that day arrives.”

Kevin Switzer, Jr. held the hot hand at Scarborough as he deftly steered four winners down victory lane on Saturday (Thunder’s Toy, Three Button Door, Grumpy and Point Well Taken) with the meet’s leading driver Drew Campbell close on his heels with three wins of his own. Campbell’s score in the $8,000 Open-level event behind Town Fool (1:55.4) represented the fastest mile of the day.

— Michael Sweeney

Thistricksforyou is fastest Scioto winner

Columbus, OH — Thistricksforyou was one of four winners Saturday night for driver Sandy Beatty and his mile in 1:54.3 was the fastest of the evening.

The 4-year-old gelded son of Yankee Cruiser started from post 10 in the second tier, but moved into contention quickly. He challenged pacesetting Teddy B Warner during the second half of the race, wearing him down in the stretch to win by two lengths. The 38-1 shot Noble Jet rallied to grab third place.

Beatty also trains the winner, who is owned by John Sugar.

Beatty also enjoyed winning drives behind Rich Cowboy, Bogo’s Way, and Trick The Yankee.

Jeff Nisonger had a driving triple while Kyle Bolon won two races on Saturday at Scioto.

— Dean A. Hoffman

Arm And A Leg victorious again in Batavia Open Handicap

Batavia, NY — Again proving he’s the best pacer in Western New York, the popular sidewheeler Arm And A Leg was victorious in the $8,500 Open Handicap on Saturday night at Batavia Downs Casino.

Arm And A Leg was sent right to the front by Downs dash leading driver Kevin Cummings and they never had an anxious moment in cruising to an easy 5-1/4 length score in 1:54. Triple Bars (Jimmy Whisman) was second and Oh Gee Whiz (Jim McNeight) completed the top three.

This was Arm And A Leg’s third Open win during the 2009 Summer-Fall meet and his 10th win this season. He’s a 6-year-old son of Nobleland Sam. John Cummings Sr. trains and co-owns with Mark Jakubik. Going off as the favorite Arm And A Leg paid $4.30 to win.

— Todd Haight