from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (June 5) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Running Aces, Northfield Park and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

K D Amazin Spirit cops Running Aces Open Trot

Columbus, MN — In his first start outside of the state of California, K D Amazin Spirit took to the cool upper midwest weather just fine and captured the initial $9,000 Open Trot of the Running Aces 2013 season on Wednesday night.

It was the tenth win in 14 starts this year for the 7-year-old gelding owned by Keith Willey and trained in Minnesota by Nathalie Tremblay. Rick Magee guided the winner to the one length 1:58.2 score over Abes Little Blacky (Ridge Warren) and Franky Provolone (Steve Wiseman).

Last year’s leading driver Nick Roland scored a hat trick on the midweek program, while newcomer Luke Plano — the nation’s leading UDR percentage driver — notched a pair of longshot victories to complete his first week of competition at Running Aces.

Quickest triumph on the card was a 1:53.3 tally by NJ’s Go Johnny Go in a $7,000 conditioned event. Plano guided the 5-year-old gelding for owners Gene and Bonnie Williams and trainer Jenni King, besting Terror Time (Tim Maier) and Mystery Card (Clint Warrington, Jr.).

Running Aces live racing schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the months of June, July and August.

— Running Aces Media Relations

Northfield Park
Dirt Road Phil paced home for his third straight win Wednesday in Northfield Park’s tenth race. The 6-year-old is owned by Rhonda Conn. Northfield Park’s leading trainer Harla “Renae” Loney has called upon Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. to pilot the ridgling in all three of his most recent victories. Dirt Road Phil started from post three and led at every call through times of :27.4, :57.2, 1:27.2 and 1:56.4. He finished a half-length in front of the closest competitor, Wild For Real (Ryan Stahl). Wednesday’s triumph increased Dirt Road Phil’s (Shanghai Phil-Iseult) lifetime wins tally to 14 and his career earnings to $61,001. He was heavily favored and returned $2.60 to win. Wednesday was a successful evening for Dirt Road Phil’s connections. His trainer, Renae Loney, harnessed three winners on the card. Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. piloted four winners on the evening.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Things worked out very well for trotter Smuggler Hall (Conway Hall) on Wednesday night as the Heidi Rohr trainee got parked out heading to the opening quarter but fought gamely en route to victory. The 5-year-old trotter prevailed in the $5,350 conditioned trotting race at Saratoga Casino and Raceway despite the difficult trip and stopped the timer in 2:00.1. Smuggler Hall parlayed a big class drop into his fourth win of the season with Shawn Gray in the sulky. The connections had a double as pacer Artillery Major (Art Major) also prevailed after enjoying class relief of his own and lasting on the lead to score in 1:57.1. Both Smuggler Hall and Artillery Major are owned by Empowered Racing.