by harness racing publicists across North America

The Saturday (Sept. 22) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Hollywood Dayton Raceway, The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Vernon Downs and Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Newcomer cops Open at Hollywood Dayton

Dayton, OH. — Tookadiveoffdipper, making his initial start at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, wired a full field of outstanding older horses to capture the Saturday (Sept. 22) $18,500 Open Pace. It was the 4-year-old son of Always A Virgin’s 20th lifetime win from just 44 starts and third triumph in just four outings since coming to Ohio.

Conrad photo

Tookadiveoffdipperwent gate-to-wire to win Saturday’s Open Pace at Hollywood Gaming at DaytonRaceway.

Leading driver Dan Noble took full advantage of drawing the rail with the even-money favorite, leaving with alacrity while the rest of the field settled along the pylons in post position order. Posting fractions of :27.2, :55.3 and 1:23.2, Tookadiveoffdipper faced just a single mild challenge when runner-up Winwood Mac (Chris Page) reached his wheel around the final bend.

Noble had ample confidence in his charge, a Virgil Morgan Jr.-trainee, and cruised across the wire with little urging in 1:51.4. Nvestment Bluechip (Tyler Smith) rallied from far back to grab the show share of the purse.

— from Hollywood Dayton Raceway

The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono

Pembroke Wildcat, who was second to Ideal Kiss last week in his return to owner/trainer Brittany Robertson after a $30,000 claim, turned the tables on his rival in the $20,000 claiming handicap pacing feature Saturday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, taking advantage of a perfect trip to tally in 1:50. Ideal Kiss, going for his fifth straight victory in this company, made the lead despite the outside post nine in :28.1, but then had to post identical middle splits of :27 to keep out challenger Pickled Preacher, himself a winner of four of his last six vs. lesser and stepping up off a claim. While those two argued that wicked :54 middle half, Pembroke Wildcat was tagging along in the pocket for driver Anthony Napolitano, and in the stretch the victorious altered son of Western Maverick proved the strongest by 1-1/4 lengths. Pembroke Wildcat now sports career earnings of $336,227, and the 1:50 time gave the 6-year-old a new mark. In the $17,500 conditioned pace co-feature, the pocket also proved to provide the winning journey, as Sir Pugsley made it two of his last three by coming on late to post a 1:50.3 victory. Driver Pat Berry hustled the son of American Ideal to command before the 27.1 quarter, but Feeling Cam Lucky was out and clambering for the front by that point, and Berry let him go to sit behind midrace fractions of :55.2 and 1:22.4. In the stretch, Sir Pugsley had more pace left than the pacesetter, going by and winning by a neck for trainer Ron Burke and the team of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Vernon Downs

Oh My Joepa (John MacDonald) took the Vernon Downs featured pace ($6,500) on Saturday (Sept. 22). Golden Gun (Josh Kinney) charged to the front and led to a first quarter of :27. Oh My Joepa ($5.30) took control just before hitting the half in :56.2. Owned and trained by MacDonald, he led to three-quarters in 1:24.4. Golden Gun popped the pocket at the top of the stretch and went charging late in deep stretch to fall short and finish second by a nose. Oh My Joepa won in a time of 1:53.2. I Am Golden (Ronald Harp) finished third. Oh My Joepa is a 10-year-old gelding by Rocknroll Hanover. It was his seventh win this season and career victory number 52. Kabu (John MacDonald) claimed the featured trot ($6,500). Sweet Ashley T (Homer Hochstetler) controlled the early fractions (:29, :57.4, 1:27.1). Kabu ($3.60) went first-over just before the three-quarter mark. Owned by JP Stables and trained by MacDonald, he wrestled the lead away from Sweet Ashley T in the stretch and had to hold off the late charge of runner-up Cantad Kid (Claude Huckabone Jr.) to win in 1:56.4. Sweet Ashley T settled for third best. Kabu is a 7-year-old gelding by Valley Victor. It was his fourth win in a row and 10th of the season. He now owns 31 career victories. MacDonald had four driving wins on the nights as well as three training wins. His third driver-trainer combination victory came with Machmemackie ($6.30). His fourth driving win came with Ladyyouaregorgeous ($8.70). Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (Sept. 28). For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.

Saratoga Casino Hotel

Mar Nien A (Rock N Roll Heaven) prevailed in his first start for new connections last Saturday night (Sept. 15) when he parlayed a pocket trip to victory in 1:51.1 at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Amanda Kelley trainee moved up into the $15,000 Open Pace this weekend and despite the step up, was the public’s 1-5 betting favorite. Jay Randall sat behind the 6-year-old Australian invader who had just four starts under his belt in the U.S. before his try in the Saturday Open. Randall sat back patiently with the big chalk in a first half that went in :55.3. Mar Nien A made his move heading to three-quarters before tipping off the cover of rival Lachie Maguire N (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) and powering past his rivals to draw away to win in 1:52 on a chilly evening in the Spa City. Lachie Maguire N was the Open’s runner-up while All Artist (Billy Dobson) earned the show spot. Mar Nien A was purchased by the Scheigert Racing Stable, LLC just a few weeks ago and the expensive investment is already beginning to pay dividends as the 6-year-old gelding appears to be one that will be a force in the local Open moving forward. The 1-5 favorite led an exacta and triple in the feature that came back $14 and $40.20, respectively. Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a 15-race card highlighted by eight New York Sire Stakes Excelsior finals, each of which will go for a purse of $55,000. First post time is set for 12:15 p.m.