Racing Roundup: NYSS Late Closers in Saratoga spotlight
August 21, 2009,from Harness Publicists across North America
Thursday’s (August 20) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga Raceway, Vernon Downs and Scioto Downs.
NYSS Late Closers in Saratoga spotlight
Saratoga Springs, NY — The New York Sire Stakes had their Late Closers at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Thursday night as 2-year-old trotting fillies took center stage. In years past when this group has come to Saratoga slower times and a lot of breaks have resulted but not on Thursday.
Dan Daley’s Miss Conway got the Late Closers off to a strong start as she closed in a 1:00 back half to secure a 2:02.3 win.
Dave Oxford photo
Glidemyway was a 2:02.3 winner for Brian Allen in a NYSS Late Closer event.
That time was matched in the next $12,700 division by Glidemyway, who stayed trotting and scored in 2:02.3 for trainer-driver Brian Allen. Glidemyway was the only upset winner as she prevailed at 9-1.
Harold Smith and Spring Break Lindy went wire-to-wire in 2:04.3 to capture a Late Closer win while the fourth and final division was won by Dream State (Frank Coppola, Jr.), a front running favorite who had little difficulty in wiring the field in 2:05.3 for her second consecutive Late Closer victory following her win at Monticello on August 10.
The New York Sire Stakes season is in full force at the Spa with 3-year-old trotting colts featured on Saturday with three divisions going for purses of $73,000-plus per division.
— Mike Sardella
Chantal Hall is tops at Vernon
Vernon, NY — Chantal Hall captured the featured pace and Bille Bella Chick became the winningest equine performer at the meet during Thursday night’s nine-race program at Vernon Downs.
Fotowon photo
Chantal Hall was a 1:52.3 winner in the Vernon feature.
Competing in the $9,000 sixth race, the week’s Open for female pacers, Chantal Hall ($14.40) followed the pacesetting favorite Allamerican Celeb, and wagering runner-up Bet The Ranch, into the homestretch.
The 4-year-old mare exploited an opening in the pylon path to defeat Bet The Ranch by one length. Newcomer Dandi Di closed for third.Chantal Hall’s 1:52.3 effort was just two-fifths of a second off her lifetime mark, and it went down as the quickest of nine miles in 1:59.1 or faster during the card. Trainer Dennis Whittemore owns the career winner of $103,290, who now sports four local tallies, eight during the campaign and 10 lifetime.
The steady-going pacing mare Bille Bella Chick secured her eighth victory at the Downs this season following a head decision over the favorite Six Of Hearts in Thursday’s third test, giving the 5-year-old daughter of Rambaran-Windy Witch a one-win advantage over fellow side-wheelers A & G’s Winner and Allamerican Celeb in local Standardbred scores after 56 programs. Chris Lems drove for trainer Lonny Hale and the Dr. Michael Kessler and the Speed To Burn Racing Stable ownership contingent.
In addition to his journey behind Chantal Hall, driver Jimmy Whittemore also guided Legal Front to a 1:57.4 maiden victory in Thursday’s second race, recording his meet-leading 16th double and raising his dashes won lead to 72-67 over runner-up Howard Okusko, Jr. Paul Emile Duval owns the 2-year-old gelded son of Village Jove-Legal Belle, who is conditioned by Ray Van Dreason.
Trainers Whittemore and Hale, as well as drivers Lems and Okusko, also chalked up a pair of first-place finishes during the evening.
— Jim Moran
Dragon Again filly breaks maiden at Scioto
Columbus, OH — Sabine’s Filly broke her maiden at Scioto Downs on Thursday night with a hard-fought 1:57.2 victory over the freshman filly Jessies Band. The sophomore daughter of Dragon Again had failed to hit the winner’s circle in 16 previous tries.
Driver David Myers left quickly with Sabine’s Filly, then yielded briefly to Berschet before quickly retaking the lead before the half. She then had to stave off a determined challenge from Jenna’s Bac N Town and driver Jeremy Smith.
In the final turn, the field bunched and many pacers seemed to pose a threat to Sabine’s Filly. She fought bravely to the wire to win by a length over the fast-finishing Jessies Band, making her first lifetime start. Jenna’s Bac N Town got a bit rough-gaited just before the wire but managed to hold on for third.
Sabine’s Filly is trained by Jim Arledge for Frank Dettore Horse Racing. She paid $14.00 to win and topped a $439.10 trifecta.
— Dean A. Hoffman