from Harness Publicists across North America

Tuesday’s (Jan. 5) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Monticello Raceway and Dover Downs.

Keystone Rideau wins first pacing feature of 2010 at Mighty M

Monticello, NY — During the latter part of the 2009 racing season at Monticello Raceway there were no better confrontations than the ones between Keystone Rideau and Southbound Trucker in the weekly pacing features. In the four races in which they went head-to-head each gelding was victorious twice while the other finished second in those events.

Carded to once again confront each other in the $7,700 pacing feature on Tuesday, that battle never materialized when Southbound Trucker was a late scratch.

Geri Schwarz photo

Keystone Rideau paced home to a 1:55.4 score in the Monticello feature.

Keystone Rideau’s trainer, Mark Ford, had been using Mike Micallef as his Monticello driver but with Micallef not available Ford opted for Kyle DiBenedetto to handle the lines. And that decision worked out best for both concerned — especially when Keystone Rideau cruised to a 1:55.4 triumph in 15-degree weather.

Sent off as the odds-on favorite in the race, DiBenedetto sent Keystone Rideau to the lead which they got before the quarter in :28.3. Comfortable on the front-end, DiBenedetto got his pacer by the half in :58.2 without any challenges. First to move was Jimmy Marohn, Jr. with P H Bestman, but they could get no closer than Keystone Rideau’s saddlepad as the two rambled by the three-quarters in 1:27.

Jake Of Diamonds and driver Bruce Aldrich, Jr. were biding their time in the two-hole and when PH Bestman faded on the final turn Aldrich moved his charge out to challenge. Keystone Rideau was up to the confrontation and the Western Hanover gelding drew off to a two length victory. Jake Of Diamonds finished second and P H Bestman was a distant third.

“This is a nice pony. He’s the best horse I’ve driven in quite a while,” DiBendetto said about Keystone Rideau after the race.

Questioned about taking his pacer to the front when Keystone Rideau had been coming from behind each time Micallef handled him, DiBenedetto was quick to answer: “He finally got an inside position (post four) and being the favorite (in the race) the front-end seemed to be the right place to be.”

And when asked why he was driving Keystone Rideau this week, DiBenedetto chuckled and said, “Mike (Micallef) picked a great week to go on a cruise.”

— John Manzi

Chloes Silver Star returns to winner’s circle at Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Ultra-consistent Chloes Silver Star turned back seven rivals on the way to a 1:53.1 victory in the $26,000 Open Handicap pace at Dover Downs on a chilly Tuesday, Jan.5.

Fotowon

Chloes Silver Star turned back seven rivals on the way to a 1:53.1 victory in the $26,000 Open Handicap pace at Dover Downs.

Ron Pierce took Chloes Silver Star three wide around the final turn and then jetted away to her third win of the meet taking this week’s distaff feature for Gary Evans and Foulk Stables Inc. Alice’s Restaurant finished second with Tony Morgan for the second straight start while Nidya A closed strongly for Ross Wolfenden to finish third.

Chloes Silver Star has now won three times with three seconds and two thirds in her eight races this meet, all in Open competition. A daughter of Canadian stallion Intrepid Seelster from Silver Chloe, the now 6-year-old has won $338,116 lifetime.

— Marv Bachrad