by harness racing publicists across North America

Friday’s (June 2) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Buffalo Raceway, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and Hawthorne Race Course.

Racing Roundup: Noble Legend strolls to victory at Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — The weather was just ideal for a nice stroll at Buffalo Raceway on Friday evening (June 2) and Noble Legend ($8.50) did just that in easily turning back the field in the $10,000 Open Trot.

Steve Roth photo

Noble Legend captures another win at Buffalo Raceway on a picture-perfect evening.

With crystal blues skies and the temperature hovering around 70 degrees, Noble Legend (Ray Fisher Jr.) went gate-to-wire and thoroughly enjoyed the tour around the half-mile oval in 1:57.1. He soundly beat Winkys Pride (Drew Monti) by 3-1/4 lengths while Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) rolled into third place.

It didn’t take long for Noble Legend to reach the top and take in the fresh air, posting splits of :29.0, :59.1 and 1:28.1.

Down the lane, Noble Legend was looking for some challengers but none materialized. A :29.0 final panel was more than enough to ruin the slim hopes of the other six entrants.

Noble Legend (Kadabra-Lovin It) is co-owned by Jack and trainer Maria Rice. The 5-year-old gelding has now won four times in 17 attempts in 2017, putting $38,350 in the bank this season and $133,835 lifetime.

Kevin Cummings led the drivers on the night with a four-bagger while Stalbaum had a triple. Trainers Maria Rice and Kimberly Asher checked in with doubles.

Racing will resume on Saturday night with a 12-race card scheduled for 6 p.m. There’s a $2,626 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.

For more information including upcoming promotions, race replays, results and the latest news, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.

— by Brian Mazurek

Tioga Downs

Tioga, NY — Lease Ness Monster (Mike Merton) wins second straight Tioga Downs Fillies and Mare Open ($12,000) on Friday night (June 2). Lease Ness Monster, who is owned by Matt and David Waltz and trained by Patti Harmon, would take the lead after the first quarter. The 6-year-old Lease On Life Mare would get challenged in the stretch by Saratoga shipper Little Santamonica (Aaron Byron). Pressured the whole way in the stretch Lease Ness Monster ($3.50) would gut out the victory by a half-length in 1:51.3. Finishing Second was Little Santamonica and getting third was Betabcool N (Greg Merton) After the first month of racing, Mike Simons leads all drivers with 21 wins coming in to the night. Simons, who was the 2015 track champion and the runner-up a year ago, has a firm grip on the lead early. Jimmy Taggart Jr. is currently second with nine wins behind Simons’ 12. Rick Dane Jr. has had a great start to the season as well with 11 wins. Tom Jackson and Jim Marohn Jr. round out the top five with 10 wins. Dane Jr. has seven training wins as well. He is tied for second with Tony Dinges. Linda Toscano leads all trainers with eight wins. Two of Toscano’s wins came last week in one race when her entry of Avatar J and Brian J finished in a dead heat. Mike Deters, who was last year’s training champion, is fourth with six wins. Tioga Downs returns Saturday with a 10-race card starting at 6:50 p.m.

Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The Filly Princess (John MacDonald) won the Fillies and Mares featured pace at Vernon Downs on Friday night (June 2). The race favorite Keene Olivia (Chris Lems) jumped out of the gate in front for the first three fractions of :27.3, :57.3 and 1:25.0. The Filly Princess ($11.40) would ride the pocket the entire way until the top of the stretch. The 9-year-old Bettors Delight mare would pull out of the pocket and wear down Keene Olivia in the stretch to get the win in 1:53.3. Charging late was Tiger Boudoir (Truman Gale) to get second. Keene Olivia would hang on for third. Coming in to this weekend Chris Lems and John MacDonald lead all drivers with 19 wins apiece. They are expected to battle for the driver championship all year round. On the trainers side Andy Gardner, Angus MacDonald and Jimmy Whittemore each have six wins to lead all trainers early. Vernon Downs returns to action Saturday at 6:45 p.m.

Hawthorne Race Course

Stickney, IL — The 2017 Suburban Downs at Hawthorne stakes season kicked off on Friday (June 2) night as two divisions of leg one of the Plum Peachy Eliminations took place. The Plum Peachy is for Illinois-bred 3-year-old filly pacers. Race six on Friday was the first of the divisions as a field of 10 lined up behind the gate. Illinois champion from 2016, Princess Sage was making her 2017 debut and was sent away as the favorite for trainer/driver Freddie Patton Jr. Leaving for the lead was the favorite but longshot November Rain carved out the quarter in :28.3. Princess Sage took over through a half in :58.2 and covered three-quarters in 1:27.3. In the lane, Princess Sage was challenged by multiple horses as 45-1 shot Fancy Creek Jolene closed fastest of all for driver Matthew Avenatti to win by a half-length over Boogie On Down. Dandy’s Dududidudu rallied for third. The winning time for the mile was 1:55.1. Fancy Creek Jolene is owned by Frank Marcolini and trained by Kim Hamilton. Race 10 was the second division of leg one of the Plum Peachy stakes with a field of 11. Favored Lady’s Party was riding a three-race win streak into this spot as she started from the second tier for driver Casey Leonard. Getting away for the lead was Rousey Ronda as she covered the quarter in :29.1. On the backside, Lady’s Party quickly moved to the front, to battle the half through :57.3. On the turn, Lady’s Party maintained her advantage, pacing three-quarters in 1:26.2. In the lane, Filly Forty took over for Jamaica Patton and drew away. At the wire, the 55-1 shot Filly Forty won by daylight. Rousey Ronda got up for second as Lady’s Party held third. Final time for the mile was 1:53.3. Filly Forty is owned and trained by Dossie Minor.