from Harness Publicists across North America

Sunday’s (Oct. 11) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga Gaming and Raceway and Colonial Downs.

Lola Palooza wins Mares Open at Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY — Lola Palooza scored the Open win on Sunday amongst Saratoga’s top pacing mares.

Dave Oxford photo

Lola Palooza won the Mares Open on Sunday in 1:57.1.

The Colin Johnson trainee hasn’t had quite the same season in 2009 that she did in her 3-year-old campaign in ‘08. The win came at perhaps a surprising time as the Western Hanover mare was coming off a scratch and a subsequent three-week layoff.

On Sunday, dismissed at her biggest odds in several months, Lola Palooza went to the front end and didn’t look back as she drew away to secure a 1-1/2 length win for leading driver Frank Coppola, Jr., stopping the timer in 1:57.1.

The win was the second of the season for the mare who went over the $200,000 mark in lifetime earnings.

— Mike Sardella

Mata Harry equals life mark in Colonial feature

New Kent, VA — Mata Harry got to the winner’s circle for the second time in three weeks on Sunday afternoon in a $5,000 conditioned race at Colonial Downs.

Colonial Downs photo

Mata Harry and Chris Page were 1:50.3 winners on Sunday at Colonial Downs.

The classy 8-year-old Armbro Operative gelding grabbed a pocket trip behind Art Thief through the mile’s first three-quarters. Content to let the leader cut panels of :26.3, :54.1 and 1:22.3, driver Chris Page brought Mata Harry outside at the head of the straightaway where the surge began.

Mata Harry eased past Art Thief and crossed the wire easily in 1:50.3, equaling his previous best which was set three years ago at Rockingham Park. The winner is trained by Diane Helen for Elliot Misshula. Hero’s Cavalcade was second and Shady Matilda took third.

Mata Harry’s win was the middle leg of a natural driving hat trick for reinsman Page. The 25-year-old, who is Colonial’s top driver this fall, connected in the race prior with Southview Johnnie and in the following event with Northern Scholar.

— Darrell Wood