from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (June 18) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows and Running Aces.

Melanies Sharkette impressive in season’s first freshman races at the Meadows

Washington, PA — The Meadows’ Wednesday card showcased the first 2-year-old races of the season, a trio of events that featured the impressive career debut of Melanies Sharkette.

The homebred daughter of Shark Gesture-Bordeaux Nourrir moved first over from third for Dave Palone and cruised to victory in 1:55.3, 5-3/4 lengths better than Remember Dee. Fashion Villager was third. Mike Palone trains Melanies Sharkette for Fran Azur.

Also sharp in his career opener was Smokinmombo, who trotted in 2:00.2 for Aaron Merriman despite being used twice in the mile. Blessings Counted was second, three-quarters of a length back, while Avalon Hall earned show after a slow start. Chris Beaver conditions Smokinmombo, a daughter of Explosive Matter-Horizontal Mombo, and owns with Synerco Ventures and James Gallagher.

The third race for freshmen went to Gray Camo, who stalked Berkley from the pocket and blew by in the lane for Tony Hall to down Berkley by a neck in 1:56.2. Cams Fernando completed the ticket. Ron Burke trains the son of Pine Valley-CGs Gem for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Richard Suda and Jason Melillo.

In the $18,000 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, Cowgirl Hall made it two straight with an in-hand, front-end victory over the pocket-sitting Daylon Miracle, downing her by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:53.2, with the rallying Trotslikethewind third. Palone drove for Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jack Piatt III and Michael Rosenthal. The 6-year-old daughter of Cash Hall-Centerfold Hall extended her career bankroll to $541,303.

Merriman piloted four winners on the 15-race card while Palone and Burke teamed for a triple.

— Evan Pattak

Running Acres
Sharpshootennorris (Steve Wiseman) and Glittering Muscles (Rick Magee) couldn’t be separated at the end of a 1:56.3 mile at Running Aces on Wednesday night, resulting in a dead-heat for win. The two trotters, one who spent the winter at Cal Expo in California and one who spent the winter at Pompano Park in Florida, collared favored pacesetter Natural Forces (Kim Pluta) in deep stretch and then held off a fast-closing Axle (Rob Dinning) to earn visits to the winner’s circle. Sharpshooten Norris is owned by Bette Jean Calice. It was the 47th career victory for the 11-year-old, two thus far at Running Aces. Paula Aubin owns Glittering Muscles, who is trained in Minnesota by Bev Kingston. The 7-year-old son of Muscles Yankee has just a dozen lifetime wins, but has earned more than $25,000 already in 2014. Driver Rob Dinning had a three win evening, while Steve Wiseman managed a driving double.