from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (Feb. 26) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows, Dover Downs and Buffalo Raceway.

Mal’s Gal breaks maiden at The Meadows in 72nd try

Washington, PA — The career-long frustration of Mal’s Gal ended Wednesday at The Meadows. In her 72nd lifetime start, Mal’s Gal captured her maiden victory for James Calvin Dodson and owner/trainer Ron Lineweaver.

Most horses with lengthy records of futility are dismissed as “professional maidens,” but Mal’s Gal has been earning her keep. In those 71 winless outings, she finished second or third 34 times and banked $41,557. In Wednesday’s triumph, the 5-year-old trotting daughter of Malabar Millennium-Maddie Hanover brushed wide in the lane to score in 2:02.4.

Daylon Miracle took the feature, a $20,000 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, with a relentless first-over move that enabled her to wear down Magic Wheel and defeat her by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2. Vixy was a ground-saving third.

Aaron Merriman drove the 5-year-old daughter of Pegasus Spur-Daylon Marvel for owner/trainer Bill Bercury. It was the second straight victory for Daylon Miracle and extended her career bankroll to $276,503.

Mike Wilder drove three winners on the 15-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Friday, with first post at 6:55 p.m.

— Evan Pattak

Dover Downs
A stretch-dash from Baximum proved successful again in a 1:54.2 victory in the $20,000 Open Trot at Dover Downs on Tuesday. In his usual style, driver Daryl Bier waited in the back of the field before putting Baximum into full flight turning for home. It was no contest in the lane as the Cantab Hall-Bax Machine gelding rushed past dueling Green Day (Vic Kirby) and Spunky Jack (Roger Plante) to win by two lengths. The win was the second straight for the 7-year-old trained by Bobby Clark and owned by Tina Clark and Joe Clark. It was his 22nd career win and brought his lifetime earnings to $447,014.

Buffalo Raceway
Ugly Betty was a good looking winner in the featured $8,000 conditioned/optional claiming pace for fillies and mares at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night. Sitting fifth at the half-mile marker, Ugly Betty ($16.60) and driver Jack Flanigen followed the first-over cover of A And G’s Doll midway down the backstretch the final time. Flanigen then tipped Ugly Betty three-wide and smartly paced away from the field to register the 3-1/2 length victory over Keep It Fair (Billy Dobson) and the favored Heavenly Place (David McNeight III) in 1:59.2. A final quarter of :28.3 posted by Ugly Betty put her in command down to the wire as the remainder of the field raised the white flag. Ugly Betty (Camluck-Red Road Rage) is a 6-year-old mare owned by Margaret Payne and Jennifer Falcone and is trained by Dennis Dylo. It was her second victory in four starts this season and moved her 2014 earnings to $7,998. It was Ugly Betty’s 12th career victory and increased her lifetime winnings to $119,960.