from harness publicists across North America
The Friday (Sept. 22) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Batavia Downs, Saratoga Casino Hotel and Hollywood Dayton Raceway.
Noble Legend on point in Batavia Downs feature
Batavia, NY — Noble Legend looked very sharp on the front end while defeating six top-end trotters as well as an inquiry at the wire to win the $10,500 Open Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 22).
Noble Legend (Ray Fisher Jr.) left strong off the gate and established a loose two length advantage on the front end. After passing the quarter in :28.3 the post time favorite Egosnattitudes (Larry Stalbaum) pulled from last and flushed Striker Ace (Kevin Cummings) after they tripped the timer at :58.3 for the half.
Moving up the backside Noble Legend was still strong on the lead as Striker Ace bowed out of the competition. As a result Egosnattitudes tipped three-wide at the three-quarters and advanced to second by the top of the lane. Stalbaum started urging his trotter as he drew closer to the leader, but before he could gain the advantage Egosnattitudes broke wildly halfway down the stretch and galloped across the wire a neck ahead of Noble Legend.
As a result of the obvious lapped-on break, Egosnattitudes was disqualified by the judges and placed last while Noble Legend was named the official winner, timed in 1:57.1.
It was the seventh win of the year for Noble Legend ($7.00) who has now earned $61,370 in 2017 for owners Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice. Maria Rice trains the winner.
In the $8,000 Open II Trot, Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) was third at the half, gapped seven lengths and chasing a runaway Lutetium (John Cummings Jr.) who took the field to a 1:25.3 third quarter, before pulling in the far turn and trotting right by the fading leader to win in 1:56, which was a new lifetime mark for the winner.
Barn Winner ($20.20) now boasts nine wins on the year and $35,310 in the bank. The 3-year-old gelded son of Credit Winner was purchased privately on Aug. 29 by his current owners Tanah Merah Farms LLC and the Swift Racing Stable and is trained by Ryan Swift.
Kevin Cummings had a big night, winning four races on the card. He got across with Pilgrims All In ($5.00, 1:57.4), Shawnee Magic ($8.90, 1:58.1), Ona Dream ($6.40, 1:59.3) and Kings Treasure ($5.00, 1:55.3).
Ray Fisher Jr. had a driving triple himself while trainers David Russo, Rose Russo, JD Perrin and Angelo Nappo all had two stable members cross the wire first.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 23) with post time at 6 p.m. Saturday’s card will feature a non-betting Racing Under Saddle (RUS) race to be presented after the seventh race.
— Tim Bojarski
Saratoga
Our Els Dream N (Elsu) became the third Al Annunziata trainee to record a win in the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel this year. The 8-year-old mare wound up getting a first over journey in Friday’s $18,000 Open for distaffers. The race’s favorite faltered on the engine and Our Els Dream N took advantage, cruising by in the stretch before stopping the timer in 1:53.2. Stylish Beachwhere (Frank Coppola Jr.) followed the winner’s cover and ended up as the runner-up while West Liberty (Jim Devaux) earned the show spot. Our Els Dream N is the third Annunziata-trained mare to win the Open at the Spa this season as the New Zealand-bred mare joined fellow New Zealander Betacool N and Australian invader Quick Draft A as top flight lady pacers to prevail in the Fillies and Mares Open at the Spa this year. Our Els Dream N paid $11.80 to win on Friday and led an exacta and triple that came back $56.50 and $150.50, respectively. She was driven to victory by Bruce Aldrich Jr. who piloted his 7,000th career winner on Wednesday at Monticello and was recognized for the feat on Thursday at Saratoga with a presentation in the winner’s circle. Aldrich currently sits fourth in the local driver standings but well behind Billy Dobson who had a six-win night on Friday. Live racing continues on Saturday at Saratoga with first post time set for 6:45 p.m.
Hollywood Dayton Raceway
Addy’s Way garnered her second straight victory in as many weeks at the recently convened Hollywood Dayton Raceway meet by capturing the $18,500 Mares Open on Friday (Sept. 22) night. The 9-year-old daughter of Camluck again used gate-to-wire tactics for driver-trainer Dan Noble, fronting the field through fractions of :27.2, :56, 1:23.4 and 1:52.1. It was the fourth seasonal tally for Addys Way, owned by Perkins Racing Stable, and 53rd of a stellar career that has seen her bank $454,750. Returning dash titlist Josh Sutton also enjoyed a fruitful evening as he visited the winner’s circle a half-dozen times. The 35-year-old reinsman scored behind GD Rock My World (1:53.3, $5.40 win mutuel), McWilliam (1:53, $16.00), Three Card (1:51.4, $5.80), Juslikeaqueen (1:53.1, $5.00), QB Killa (1:50.3, $6.80) and Mr Dennis (1:54, $5.40). The Grand Circuit comes to town next Friday night (Sept. 29) when Hollywood Gaming will proudly present the $160,000 (est.) Dayton Trotting Derby and the $150,000 (est.) Dayton Pacing Derby. The nominee list looks like a “Who’s Who in Harness Racing” brochure as a host of the best older horses, as well as many of the sport’s most notable drivers are expected for Dayton Raceway’s marquee events.