from Harness Publicists across North America

Tuesday’s (November 10) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Monticello Raceway, Dover Downs and The Meadows.

Lucky 13 for Southbound Trucker at Monticello

Monticello, NY — Talk about horses for courses. How about Southbound Trucker at Monticello Raceway?

The veteran 6-year-old Sharky Spur gelding, who was recently named Horse of the Year at the Mighty M, just keeps on winning and on the November 10 card Southbound Trucker scored yet another victory in the winners over pace, this time in 1:56.1. Greg Merton was again in the sulky as the pacer recorded his 13th triumph over the best pacers on the grounds.

Geri Schwarz photo

Southbound Trucker posted his 13th win of 2009 with a 1:56.1 score on Tuesday.

Last week, from the pole position, Southbound Trucker uncharacteristically won in wire-to-wire fashion in the identical time of 1:56.1 but this week, from the eight hole, he did his usual come-from-behind rally to victory. And what a rally it was!

After sitting back off the quick early pace Merton fired up the old veteran and together they went four-deep on the final turn and then sped away in mid-stretch to victory with tail flying in the wind. They passed second place finisher Blueridge D’Bang (Billy Dobson), pacesetter and third place finisher Semalu Express (Zeke Parker) and fourth place finisher Bilmar Rustler (Mike Forte) after coming off the final turn.

“I told you last week that he (Southbound Trucker) was better off the pace. He just loves to pass horses,” Merton said after his driving victory. “Art (trainer Aristotle Stamatein) and Carlton (caretaker Carlton Oney) have him in top form which really surprises me since this was Southbound Trucker’s 34th (seasonal) start. And last year he raced 39 times and won nine races. I can’t say enough about the ‘ole horse’. When you ask him, he goes forward. He never ceases to amaze me.”

Obviously Merton was joined in amazement by the betting public who, in spite of Southbound Trucker’s seasonal performances, allowed him to pay $11.80 for win. The pacer is owned by the trainer’s son, George Stamatein.

— John Manzi

Chloes Silver Star strikes in Dover $26,000 Mares Open Pace

Dover, DE — Ron Pierce gunned Chloes Silver Star to a 1:52.2 victory in the $26,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Tuesday.

Fotowon photo

Chloes Silver Star was a 1:52.2 winner in the Mares Open Handicap Pace.

One of the most consistent female pacers at the track last meet, Chloes Silver Star, owned by Gary Evans and Foulk Stables, picked right up where she left off in the distaff feature. Race favorite Still Electric (Corey Callahan) made her first appearance of the meet and led from the start until approaching the three-quarter mark when Pierce rushed up and quickly passed and then opened up with a :27.4 final panel. A four-race win streak by Perfect M Forever came to an end when the Eric Goodell driven 4-year-old closed from off the pace to finish second. Apache Dame and Ross Wolfenden took show honors.

Chloes Silver Star, a 5-year-old Intrepid Seelster-Silver Chloe mare, posted her eighth win of the year. She has now won $190,000 this year.

Lady Mach was at the top of her game in the $22,000 Mares Jr. Open as Eric Goodell guided the Mach Three-St George Lady 5-year-old to an impressive 1:52.4 score. Itz Cherry Ripe N was second best for George Dennis. Firiel Hanover teamed with Montrell Teague to finish third.

Dave Kryway, Dave Rovine and Meadowbranch Stables own the winner, now a $146,491 earner in 2009.

— Marv Bachrad

Dougs Fame wins fourth straight in Meadows debut

Washington, PA — In his debut at The Meadows, Dougs Fame found the track and the company to his liking Tuesday as he sailed to victory — his fourth in a row — in the $27,500 Preferred Pace.

His previous wins in the streak came at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, but the change in venue made little difference to the 4-year-old son of Apaches Fame-Armbro Vertical. Dave Palone sent him to the front at the quarter pole, and the 3-5 favorite encountered no serious challenges thereafter, prevailing in 1:51. War Boots was a rallying second, 1-3/4 lengths in arrears, with Bobnoxious third.

Ron Burke trains Dougs Fame, who now has won $146,605 this year, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables and W.W. Haas, Jr.

Palone, Aaron Merriman and Mike Wilder each drove three winners on the 13-race card.

— Evan Pattak