from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (June 14) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Northfield Park, Vernon Downs and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Miss Two Punch repeats in Northfield Open

Northfield, OH — Miss Two Punch captured the $6,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace for the second straight week in the eighth race on Friday at Northfield Park.

Northfield Park photo

Miss Two Punch was a 1:54.3 winner in the Northfield feature.

She is owned by Tracy Root and Kathleen Doubrava-Root. Tracy Root also trains the mare and called upon Elliott Deaton to drive.

Miss Two Punch (Allamerican Ingot-Matilda Hall) started from the rail and led at nearly every call through fractions of :28.4, :58.1, 1:26.1 and 1:54.3, easily winning by 3-1/2 lengths. Completing the race were Posey Patch, It Must Be Magic, Rockratese, Pebble Creek, Haley Louise, Journey West and Osborne’s Sweeper.

The 6-year-old Miss Two Punch now has 17 career wins and earnings of $108,132. She was heavily favored and returned $2.60 to win.

— Ayers Ratliff

Vernon Downs
Cash In Watsu beat the chalk, and then some, with her speedy upset victory in Friday night’s featured ninth race at Vernon Downs. With Jimmy Whittemore sitting in for owner and trainer Darwin La Clair, Cash In Watsu got geared up from fourth in the early going and charged into contention entering the final quarter. Just a half-length back entering the final furlong, the determined 5-year-old mare caught and passed the pacesetting Steuben Lone Pine to post a career-best 1:56.1 triumph. With the three-quarter length tally, the bay daughter of Cash Hall-Watsu made the toteboard shine with a $51.50 win payoff and secured her second score of the 23-program meeting and 13th all-time victory. The win gave Whittemore his third double of the track’s 60th season. Driver John MacDonald made three trips to the Blue Chip Farm’s winner’s circle during the 10-race card, while Truman Gale and trainer Lonny Hale each garnered a pair of first-place finishes.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Mikey Hanover (Majestic Son) continued his recent dominance of the Open Trot at Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Friday night as the Jackie Rousse trained trotter put in a dazzling effort in the $21,400 feature. The 4-year-old moved first over on the race’s favorite at the half-mile pole and powered past in the blink of an eye. Mikey Hanover had to withstand a late bid from longshot rival Neighsay Hanover (Ray Schnittker) before hitting the wire first in 1:54.4. The win time was the fastest for any trotter this year at Saratoga and matched the track record for a 4-year-old highstepper. Dan Cappello, Jr. piloted Mikey Hanover to his third Open Trot victory of the year. The breakout star has now finished first or second in eight consecutive races. Bound For Fame (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) closed for third to hit the board for the 17th time in 19 seasonal starts.