from harness publicists across North America

The Friday (May 25) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga Casino Hotel, Harrah’s Philadelphia, The Meadows, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and Bluegrass Downs.

Lovineveryminute captures Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY — Lovineveryminute (Western Paradise) took her second crack of the season at the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Friday night (May 25). The Rene Allard trainee tried going wire-to-wire in her first start in the $14,500 feature for distaffers earlier in the month but faded late in the mile to a sixth-place defeat.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Lovineveryminute surged past her rivals to win in 1:52.3.

On Friday night, Lovineveryminute blasted off the car early and yielded to the race’s favorite Spreester (Frank Coppola Jr.). The track’s most dominant lady pacer of 2018, Spreester had gone five-for-seven in the local Open coming into Friday night’s try and was thus the 3-5 betting favorite in the race.

After cruising through a first half in a quick :56.1, Spreester got tested by a first-over Diamondtoothgertie (Phil Fluet). Those two squared off for better than a quarter of a mile and all the while Lovineveryminute was waiting patiently for the open stretch.

Driver Jordan Derue guided Lovineveryminute into the passing lane and the 7-year-old surged past her rivals to win in 1:52.3, the fastest clocking for any pacing mare this year at Saratoga. Diamondtoothgertie finished second while Spreester had to settle for third.

Lovineveryminute returned $7.70 to win and led an exacta and triple that paid $24.60 and $59, respectively.

Live racing continues on Saturday night with first post time set for 6:45 p.m.

— Mike Sardella

Harrah’s Philadelphia
Bettorhaveanother worked her way to the top fairly easily for driver Marcus Miller, rated the half, then sprinted home in :54.2 to equal her mark of 1:50.3 (taken in almost identical fashion two weeks before) in winning the $18,000 featured pace for distaffs during a Friday night card at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Two weeks ago, Princess Fabulosa was favored over Bettorhaveanother, but the winning daughter of Bettor’s Delight got to the half in :56.1 and then zipped home in :54.2 to withstand the grind of her foe. This week Princess Fabulosa again was the crowd’s choice, but again her first-up challenge was repelled by Bettorhaveanother — who had the exact same first half (:56.1) and second half (:54.2) clockings in both events. Ron Burke conditions Bettorhaveanother, who now has seven wins in 15 seasonal starts and a career accumulation of $349,377, for the familiar pairing of Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi. Driver George Napolitano Jr. was hot at both ends of the action at Harrah’s Philadelphia Friday evening, winning three of the first five races and then sweeping the Late Double for a total of five wins on the card. The next action at Harrah’s Philly will be this Sunday at 12:40 p.m., when the track will host its Super Sunday of first-rate racing. The $150,000 Maxie Lee Trot (Marion Marauder is the early favorite), the $150,000 Betsy Ross Pace (with the early nod to Shartin N), and the $150,000 Commodore Barry Pace (with Filibuster Hanover the chalk off his Confederation Cup win) will be joined by two divisions of a Pennsylvania Sire Stake for 3-year-old pacing fillies, a division for each Invitational class in the Great Northeast Open Series (and these races are tough — Hannelore Hanover is in the trot), and an attempt (weather permitting) on the 1:08 world record for pacing five-eighths of a mile on a five-eighths-mile track, ensuring an outstanding day of competition for the pleasure of live or simulcast fans.

The Meadows
Tony Hall and trainer Sarah Andrews teamed for four wins Friday at The Meadows, including the $13,000 featured race with 26-1 longshot Nitro Seelster. Nitro Seelster attracted so little support in the conditioned pace because he was stuck with post nine; when he was parked the opening quarter in :26.3, it appeared bettors were right to look elsewhere. But the 8-year-old Camluck-No Strikes Against gelding repelled the mild challenge of Royaltyhasarrived and triumphed in 1:51.3. John’s Dream rallied for second, a length back, with the pocket-sitting Lord Of Winterfell third. Sandbur Farms and Valarie Sutton campaign Nitro Seelster, who extended his career bankroll to $245,963. Dave Palone also enjoyed a big Friday, collecting four victories on the 11-race card. After a brief Memorial Day break, live racing at The Meadows resumes Tuesday, when the program features a pair of rich total-pool guarantees — $10,000 for the Pick-5, $7,500 for the Pick-4. First post is 1:05 p.m.

Tioga Downs
Milky Way Rae (Aaron Byron) captured the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open 2 Pace on Friday at Tioga Downs. K J’s Caroline (Mike Merton) went right to the lead and carried all the early fractions (:26.2, :55.4, 1:23.4). She was pressured by Ask Queenie (Jim Taggart Jr.) all the way around the final turn. Milky Way Rae ($10.00) watched all the action from the pocket seat. Owned by Fortunate One LLC. and trained by Tony Dinges, she would make her move after Ask Queenie went on a break. Milky Way Rae zoomed to the front and won in a career best time of 1:52.4. Super Soph (Jim Meittinis) came on late to finish second. Beyonces Rockn (Kyle DiBenedetto) took third. Milky Way Rae is a 5-year-old mare by American Ideal. She notched win number two on the season. It was her 18th career win. Aaron Byron and Mike Merton each won two on the night. They are tied in the leading driver standings with 11 wins apiece. Jim Taggart Jr. and Jim Meittinis also won two races on the night. They are tied for third in the standings with eight wins each. Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (May 25) with an eight-race card starting at 6:15 p.m. For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.

Vernon Downs
Icanflylikeanangel (Roman Lopez) was victorious in the $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday night. Icanflylikeanangel ($4.20) forged to the front and went gate-to-wire, putting up all the fractions (:27.1, :56.4, 1:25.3, and 1:54.4). Owned by Joseph Hess and trained by Benny Eggers, he fought off a late charge by Cantad Kid (Claude Huckabone Jr.). Cantad Kid settled for second with Bob N Tony (Truman Gale) getting third money. Icanflylikeanangel is a 4-year-old gelding by Archangel. It was his second win of the season and he secured career victory number seven. All Charged Up (John MacDonald) won the $7,000 fillies and mares co-feature. Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore) put up all the early numbers (:26.4, :56.1, and 1:24.3). All Charged Up ($2.50) went first-over just before three-quarters. Owned by J P Stables and trained by MacDonald, she blew right by at the top of the stretch and won in 1:52.1. Mydelight Bluechip (Ben McNeil) finished second best and Tiger Boudoir got third. All Charged Up is a 7-year-old mare by Ponder. She picked up her sixth win of 2018. It was the 38th win of her career. John MacDonald also won with Rockin Desire ($8.00) and Hammer Time ($2.90). Vernon Downs returns to live action with a 12-race card on Saturday (May 26) starting at 6:10 p.m. For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

Bluegrass Downs
Leading driver Randy Crisler took up where he left off, winning the opening two races at Bluegrass Downs. Crisler scored with Jingle Bell Rocker and Trot Time. The fifth race was a thriller as early speed tired and those that were last, next to last and fourth closed with reckless abandon to hit the ticket. Veteran Randy Jerrell scored the win with Western Sangria by a diminishing nose over Bestbeanative (Kevin Cane).The two horse photo in the fifth race was just a preview of what would happen in the sixth race as BNA Starr (Paul Walker) went on a front end mission and was swarmed in the final eighth of the mile by Canadian Mint (Jamaal Denson), Smithers (Wyatt Avenatti), and Gee Whiz (Randy Crisler) for a four horse photo. Canadian Mint proved fastest of all and gained the decision. There will be no live racing on Saturday evening this week, however, racing will resume on Sunday evening with an eight-race card beginning at 6 p.m.