from Harness Publicists across North America

Thursday’s (August 13) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga Raceway, Vernon Downs, Ocean Downs and Scioto Downs.

Lola Palooza wins Filly & Mare Open at Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY — Lola Palooza returned to the winner’s circle for the first time this year after capturing Thursday night’s $17,000 Filly & Mare Open Pace at Saratoga.

Dave Oxford photo

Lola Palooza was a 1:56.1 winner in the Filly & Mare Open.

This was the sixth start of the year for the 4-year-old who had a strong campaign in 2008, winning 10 times in 24 outings with just over $132,000 in earnings. Owned by The Kellogg Racing Stables, LLC and trained by Colin Johnson, Lola Palooza and regular driver Frank Coppola, Jr. hit the line in 1:56.1.

The win was one of five on the night for Coppola.

Live racing continues Friday evening with a post time of 7:20 p.m.

— Dave Oxford

Allamerican Celeb finds the winner’s circle again at Vernon

Vernon, NY — Allamerican Celeb joined a pair of other productive pacers as the winningest equine performers of the season at Vernon Downs following a 1:52.3 victory in Thursday night’s $9,000 featured sixth race.

Fotowon photo

Allamerican Celeb posted her seventh 2009 score at Vernon.

Competing in the week’s Open test for females on the lateral gait, the favorite Allamerican Celeb ($3.50) continued her proven recipe for success, rallying from fifth at the half to gain the lead in the stretch, and then drawing off for a one length triumph over the second-betting choice, Chantal Hall.

Thursday’s tally was the second Open win in a row, and seventh after 53 local programs, tying the 4-year-old mare with Bille Bella Chick and A & G’s Winner for top honors in Standardbred scores. It was the eighth season’s victory and 12th overall for the bay daughter of Pro Bono Best-Cd’s Girl, who raised her lifetime earnings to $107,820.

Driver Fern Paquet, Jr., trainer Jamie Paquet (his wife) and the In Front Racing stable were each credited with doubles during the nine-race program. They also achieved a 1:55.1 triumph with the pacer Prettyasapageant in Thursday’s $5,000 third event. It was the 6-year-old mare’s sixth score at the meet.

— Jim Moran

Dead heat at Ocean Downs

Berlin, MD — Racing at the Ocean Oval Thursday night produced the first dead heat of the season. The morning line favorite for the second race, 3-1 Bellimbusto, raced well as expected, but was challenged hard by morning line 8-1 Moria Bell.

Moira Bell is a 3-year-old filly trained by John Bell. Starting in the eight hole, the trotting filly had to work hard to catch up to Bellimbusto who started in the two hole. Bellimbusto is a 5-year-old gelding trained by Doris Lineweaver.

Bellimbusto, driven by Justin Brenneman, took the early lead, reaching the quarter-mile marker in :32.1. Moria Bell, driven by Chuck Perry, Jr., urgently went two wide to make a push from ten lengths behind, trying to catch the leader. By the time Bellimbusto reached the half-mile marker in 1:03.4, Moria Bell was neck to neck with the gelding.

Sensing the challenge, Bellimbusto moved faster, but wasn’t able to get more than a half-length away from his rival. Coming down the homestretch, Bellimbusto still clung to his small lead. Moria Bell ($7.80), knowing it was then or never, started her brush and slowly drew alongside Bellimbusto ($5.60). When both horses reached the finish line they were nose-to-nose in a time of 2:05.2.

The enlarged photo finish showed both racehorses at the line together thus providing Ocean Downs with its first dead heat of the meet.

“Moria Bell is a well bred filly. She’s getting better with every race,” said Perry. “Coming around the final turn I thought we could catch the leader and I thought we had him at the wire, but I guess not.”

Chuck Perry, Jr. sits in second place in the Ocean Downs driving title chase with 35 wins. Frank Milby is at the top of the standings with 45 wins. There are six more nights of live racing left at Ocean Downs. The meet concludes with a fabulous display of fireworks on Sunday, August 23.

— Ozi Menakaya

The Panderosa filly impressive at Scioto

Columbus, OH — O Lucky Me proved to be more than just lucky in posting her maiden victory at Scioto Downs on Thursday in 1:56.4. Trainer-driver Chip Noble steered her to victory over Spectacular Myrt and Forever A Cowgirl.

The winner was making her third lifetime start for breeder-owner Steve Jones. The filly is by The Panderosa, out of the good Artsplace mare Natchitoches p,3,1:53.2 ($374,488).

Earlier in the program, veteran Ohio horseman Billy Herman scored his third driving win of the season in a dozen starts when he drove Orage d’Avril to victory in 2:01.2.

The 69-year-old Herman kept the 3-year-old son of Master Lavec within striking distance in the early going and then moved to the front in the final quarter. Orage d’Avril, owned by breeder Douglas Gingrich, defeated Hello Maddy and Lucky Job.

— Dean A. Hoffman