from Harness Publicists across North America

Sunday’s (October 4) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Colonial Downs and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

Koala Kat captures Late Closer finale at Colonial Downs

New Kent, VA — Charlie Dunavant’s Koala Kat captured the $8,600 final leg of the Emergency Squads of Virginia Trotting Series in wire-to-wire fashion on Sunday afternoon at Colonial Downs.

After three preliminary legs at a one mile distance, the final was contested at 1-1/4 miles. Koala Kat’s stablemate, Dusty Winner, quickly rushed to the front and crossed the quarter pole together with the eventual winner, who was right alongside.

Koala Kat never looked back after clearing as the field straightened down the backside. After an opening fraction of :28.2, driver Chris Page authored second and third clockings of :58 and 1:27.2. The 4-year-old trotting mare cruised home an easy 5-1/4 length winner over Two B American, who also completed a stellar series with a pair of wins and runner-up finishes.

Koala Kat is rounding back into form after earning $83,660 in 2008 from 20 starts. She has only 10 starts this year, but now has three wins in her last four outings.

— Darrell Wood

Impressive Char wins Filly & Mare Open at Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY — Impressive Char, with Chris Long in the sulky, captured Sunday’s featured Filly & Mare Open Pace at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

Owned by Orville Rursch and trained by Kevin Johnson, the 4-year-old mare posted a winning time of 1:54.4.

— Dave Oxford