by harness racing publicists across North America

The Thursday (July 14) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga and Vernon Downs.

Kinda Naughty captures Saratoga feature

Saratoga, NY — Kinda Naughty (Conway Hall) went coast-to-coast in Thursday’s (July 14) feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Steve La Belle-trained 4-year-old was the runner-up in consecutive Thursday features before going off as the 7-5 betting favorite in this week’s installment of the $9,950 race for New York-sired trotters. Frank Coppola Jr. marched Kinda Naughty out to the early lead and despite being pressured by a parked out rival throughout the race’s first half drew out to a convincing lead heading towards three-quarters. The trotting mare stopped the timer in a career-best 1:58.3.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Kinda Naughty wins this round of the game at the Spa on her own terms.

Live racing continues on Friday (July 15) night at Saratoga with first post time set for 6:45 p.m.

— by Mike Sardella

Vernon Downs

Second choice Looney Dune ($5.20) protected the early lead in a duel with 4-5 favorite Jinxy’s Delight and sprinted away to a 1:52.1 triumph in Thursday (July 14) evening’s featured $6,500 top-level Miracle Mile Mares Pace at Vernon Downs after rebuffing a second challenge off the far turn. Ben McNeil put the now 36-time winner in play from the outset, pushing forward from midfield to duel with Jinxy’s Delight (John MacDonald) on approach to the clubhouse turn. The 8-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare won the early battle, forcing Jinxy’s Delight to the pocket through a :26.4 first quarter before maintaining control through intermediate splits of :55.4 and 1:23.2. A quarter mile from home, Jinxy’s Delight made a bid out of the pocket, but Looney Dune accelerated clear off the corner while driven, ultimately prevailing by 5-1/4 lengths. Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore) narrowly collared the all-out Jinxy’s Delight for second off a clear tracking trip. The win was Looney Dune’s second in three tries and her third of the season. John McNeil III trains Looney Dune for owner Ellen McNeil. John MacDonald and Chris Lems shared top driving honors on the 10-race card, each capturing four of the evening’s races. Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (July 15) evening, with the first of 12 races due off at 6:45 p.m. Eastern. The 50-cent Pick-5 features a carryover of $254.26 on the last five races of the program.