from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (Aug. 6) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Batavia Downs and Running Aces

Little Santamonica doubles her pleasure in Batavia feature

Batavia, NY — For the second week in a row, the Jordan Hope trained Little Santamonica shipped in for the Mares Open Handicap at Batavia Downs and once again took the winner’s share of the $9,500 purse for owner Kelly Hope.

Paul White photo

Little Santamonica was a 1:54.2 winner on Wednesday.

After firing right to the front from post five for reinsman Truman Gale, the 6-year-old daughter of Little Steven opened up a two length advantage and maintained that margin through quarters of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:26 before stopping the clock at 1:54.2. She returned $4.10 for the win as the solid public choice.

This was the tenth win 21 attempts for Little Santamonica this year and it brought her earnings up to $97,725 for the season.

Asset Management (Fern Paquet), who shipped in from Tioga Downs, was second and Bazooka Terror (Kevin Cummings) was third.

Drivers Shawn McDonough and Ron Beback Jr. both scored driving triples on the night.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs this Friday (Aug. 8) with a 6:35 p.m. post time.

— Tim Bojarski

Running Aces
After 11 weekly Open Trots at Running Aces Harness Park, a seventh separate individual winner captured Wednesday night’s $8,000 edition when Wilamar Valley (Tim Maier) held off Trot Fudge Sundae (Rick Magee) and Sharpshootennorris (Steve Wiseman) in 1:56.1. It was the 20th win in just 33 lifetime starts for the lightly raced 8-year-old gelding who spent the bulk of his early career dominating the Wisconsin fair circuit. The son of Valley Victor was bred and is still owned by Jeanne Marquis and is trained in Minnesota by Cheryl Whitsell. Sharpshootennorris has copped five of the weekly featured trots while Franky Provolone, Trot Fudge Sundae, Rock Hollywood, Wilamar Valley and Barbazon have each reached the winner’s circle once. Maier had a second victory on Wednesday with Frank The Bank, owned by Richard and Marlene Thomas and trained by George Reider. Brian Detgen, recently relocated to Running Aces from Michigan, also notched a driving double, winning with Yankee Flyer for owner-trainer Ken Sweetland and Terror Time for trainer Gene Miller and the partnership of Mark and Steven Hodgson along with Barb and Ted Smith.