Racing Roundup: Monday, December 22, 2008
December 23, 2008,from Harness Publicists across North America
Monday’s (December 22) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows, Pompano Park, and Yonkers Raceway.
Foiled Again scores Lightning Lane win at The Meadows
Meadow Lands, PA — Foiled Again, who already had amassed 12 wins and $324,639 in earnings this year, extended those flashy figures Monday at The Meadows when he charged through the Lightning Lane to take the $25,000 Preferred Handicap Pace.
Assigned the outside post position, Foiled Again hustled to the pocket and exploited the escort service provided by early leader War Boots. When the Lightning Lane beckoned, Dave Palone guided Foiled Again through. The 4-year-old gelded son of Dragon Again-In A Safe Place drew off to score in 1:53.2, 1-1/4 lengths better than the closing Abraxas. Tarver Hanover finished third.
Ron Burke trains Foiled Again for Sylvia Burke, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables. Foiled Again, who took his mark of 1:49.3 at Harrah’s Chester this year, pushed his career bankroll to $396,679.
Palone and Eric Ledford each drove four winners on the 15-race card while Dick Stillings had three.
— Evan Pattak
Diva Diva beats the boys at Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — Diva Diva ($30.00), the lone mare facing eight male rivals, upset the field at odds of 14-1 in capturing the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at the Isle Pompano Park on Monday.
Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith
Diva Diva and driver Andy Santeramo upset the field in the $16,000 Open Handicap Trot at the Isle Pompano Park.
Driven by Andy Santeramo, Diva Diva left from post six in the fifth race feature and parked out race favorite Battleshoe Victor (Anthony Napolitano) to the opening quarter in :28.1.
Battleshoe Victor then took command and led the field past the half-mile in :57.4 and the three-quarters in 1:26.2. But then in the stretch, Santeramo found room and came after Battleshoe Victor and passed him by, winning with ease by two open lengths over Karpathos (Joe Pavia, Jr.) and Farmer Jones (Denis St. Pierre) in 1:56.1.
Owned by the Joel Benson Stable and trained by Julie Bishop, it was the eighth win this year for Diva Diva, a 5-year-old mare by Yankee Paco.
— Steve Wolf
Yonkers shortens Monday card due to icy conditions
Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway cancelled Monday night’s scheduled 13-race card after three races due to icy track conditions.
The Raceway’s 2008 live season concludes Tuesday night, Dec. 23, with 13 races and a 7:40 p.m. first post. The 2009 season begins Friday night, Jan. 9, also at 7:40 p.m.
— Frank Drucker