from harness publicists across North America

Monday’s (July 4) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs.

Opal Mine scores at Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Opal Mine and Jim Meittinis made it back-to-back Open Trot victories on Monday afternoon at Tioga Downs, scoring in the $16,500 feature.

Fred Brown photo

Opal Mine was a 1:55.1 winner in the Open Trot at Tioga.

Leaving from post position six, Opal Mine settled in fourth past the quarter pole as The Kentuckian (Greg Merton) took control of the field from Aruba Vacation (Fern Paquet, Jr.) in :28. As the field passed by the three-eighths-mile mark, Meittinis moved Opal Mine to take control of the field through a half in :56.3. Kyle Di Benedetto moved Howd That Feel first over to press the leader past the three-quarter mark of the race in 1:25.3.

Around the final turn Opal Mine clung to the lead but was pressed every step of the way by the pesky first over Howd That Feel. At the wire Meittinis and Opal Mine held on to win by a length in 1:55.1. The win was the ninth of the year for the 10-year-old son of Muscles Yankee–Meadowbranch Opal for trainer Tyler Raymer and owners Jim and Linda Meittinis. Howd That Feel held on for second, while The Kentuckian was third.

Lewayne Miller posted a driving double on the afternoon’s 11-race card.

— Dustin Ross

Vernon Downs
Spender Hanover served up an afternoon-fastest 1:53.1 victory in Monday’s $8,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs. Facing seven solid rivals in the week’s Open-2 Pace, Spender Hanover ($34.20) was hustled to the front by driver Joe Nassimos and sliced through splits of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:24.1 en route to a half-length victory over the pocket-sitting Four One One. Beating the day’s previous speed standard by one tick of the timer (set by Mojo Hall in race three), the Howard Okusko, Sr.-conditioned 5-year-old gelding collected his initial Vernon win, his fourth season’s score and 17th career tally. Howard Ouriel owns the bay son of Cam’s Card Shark-Special Beauty. Drivers Jimmy Whittemore, Rick Plano and Frank Milby each chalked up twin tallies during the holiday matinee’s 10-race card.