from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (July 31) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Batavia Downs and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Keep It Fair keeps rolling at Batavia

Batavia, NY — A change in tactics didn’t seem to bother Keep It Fair at all Wednesday night as she won the $8,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs in 1:54.4.

Paul White photo

Keep It Fair was a winner in 1:54.4.

The heavily-favored Keep It Fair ($3.00), who has now won three straight Opens, two in a a row at Batavia Downs, had won her two previous races in a front-running manner. But she showed her versatility this time around as it was a big brush just before the three-quarter station that did in the field.

Itstimeformetofly (John McDonald) set the early fractions, going the first half in :56.2. But Keep It Fair, who sat patiently in third, was first over at the half and zoomed by the tiring pacesetter just before the three-quarter pole. Keep It Fair (Greg Merton) managed to hold off the mild late rally from second place finisher Two Step Turn (David McNeight III) who finished a half-length back. Puff Mommy (Shawn McDonough) finished in third.

Keep It Fair, a 7-year-old mare, has now won 10 of 23 starts in 2013 and jumped her earnings to $48,489 for owner Angelo Schifano. Batavia Downs’ current leading trainer John Mungillo conditioned the winner.

The busy racing week resumes this Friday night at 6:30 p.m. with a 12-race program on tap. The feature, the second race on the card, will be the $8,500 Open Trot as Mythical Hall seeks his third straight victory. Mythical Hall will score from the three hole and is listed as the 6-5 morning line favorite. Ron Beback, Jr. will be in the sulky. The Pick-5 carryover pool going into Friday’s program is $793.50.

— Brian Mazurek

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Trainer Mike Carrubba continued his hot streak on Wednesday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Carrubba scored a training double as pacers Max Will Start (Mach Three) and Enigma Hanover (The Panderosa) recorded victories at the $5,000 claiming level. Max Will Start has been on a tear for Carrubba and on Wednesday he competed in the GSY Amateur Pacing Series with Alan Charles in the sulky. Max Will Start opened up a big lead in the first lap and poured it on to romp in 1:55.4. Enigma Hanover completed Carrubba’s training double as he held on to win a photo in 1:58.1 with Jim Devaux at the controls. Carrubba is having a breakout year at the Spa in 2013 with a training average approaching the .400 mark.