from harness publicists around North America

Wednesday’s (Nov. 30) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Dover Downs, The Meadows and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Master In Charge wins top trot at Dover

Fotowon photo

Master In Charge held off Photo Maxx to score a 1:55.4 win in Wednesday’s feature trot at Dover Downs.

Dover, DE— Master In Charge won the battle to the wire to win the $16,000 Winners Over trot at Dover Downs on Wednesday.

With Ross Wolfenden at the controls Master In Charge overtook leader Defend The Rock (Corey Callahan) and held off fast finishing Photo Maxx (Jon Roberts) to score a 1:55.4 victory in the week’s top overnight trot.

Joe Hundertpfund trains the Master Lavec-Take Charge Lady gelding for Steve Bookstaber. It was the 5-year-old’s fifth win of the year and improved his earnings to $88,661 this season. Photo Maxx got up for second with Defend The Rock, the leader until half-way down the stretch, holding on for third.

— Marv Bachrad

The Meadows
Named Horse of the Year at The Meadows earlier this week, Sir Caviar demonstrated once again why he deserved the honor as he overcame post nine and a five-week layoff to capture Wednesday’s $22,500 Preferred Trot — his 24th victory over the last two seasons. Sir Caviar was voted the track’s best by the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association. He didn’t let the honor go to his head, as he charged three wide to the front for Brian Zendt and held off the late bid of Rembrendt Spur to defeat that rival by a length in 1:54. Freedom Ridge finished third. Leslie Zendt trains the 5-year-old SJ’s Caviar-Sierra Flower K gelding and owns with Bill Zendt. Aaron Merriman drove four winners on the 15-race card.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
It was a Spagnola Pick-3 on Wednesday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Trainer Margaret Spagnola has had a terrific 2011 season at the Spa and won the evening’s third race with young trotter Contrarian (Conway Hall). The filly was making just her third local start and after winning her Saratoga debut, made a break as the 4-5 favorite in her last try. Driver Brian Cross moved Contrarian to the lead past the half and they trotted away to a 2:01 victory. Kyle Spagnola, son of Margaret and longtime Saratoga trainer Dave, took it from there, winning the evening’s fourth and fifth races to complete the Pick-3. Kyle’s Amazing Stand held off his rivals in the stretch to win a photo with young reinsman Joe Bongiorno at the controls, scoring in 1:57.3. Zorgwijk Fortunate (Wesgate Crown) then wired the field in his first start from the Spagnola stable, coasting to a win in 2:00.4 at odds of 9-2 with Mark Beckwith in the sulky. The all-Spagnola Pick-3 returned a hearty $373.50.