by harness racing publicists across North America

Thursday’s (Oct. 20) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga, Vernon Downs and Rosecroft Raceway.

Osvaldo Blue Chip extends win streak at Saratoga

Saratoga, NY — Osvaldo Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Myolin) extended his winning streak on a rainy Thursday afternoon (Oct. 20) at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The 2-year-old trotter had a solid summer racing primarily in Excelsior Series competition and in Thursday’s $8,000 trot for New York Sired highsteppers the freshman completed a hat trick.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Osvaldo Blue Chip collected his third straight triumph at Saratoga on Thursday.

Trained and driven by Jay Randall, Osvaldo Blue Chip cruised by nearly a dozen length in his previous start just one week after breaking his maiden.

Seeking a three-bagger on Thursday, he once again started from post position one and quickly was moved to the lead by Randall. Osvaldo Blue Chip suffered only a few anxious moments before stopping the timer in 1:59 over a tracked labeled good.

In 11 starts in his freshman campaign, Osvaldo Blue Chip has now recorded three wins to go with three seconds and a pair of thirds.

Live racing continues on Friday evening (Oct. 21) at Saratoga with a first post time of 6:45 p.m.

— by Mike Sardella

Vernon Downs

Ellen McNeil’s Looney Dune ($4.10) proved simply dominant at even money in Thursday evening’s (Oct. 20) evening’s featured $6,100 distaff pace at Vernon Downs, controlling the pace en route to an eight-length win. The 8-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare sprinted clear from her outside post five with ease, leading pocket rival Love You Bye (Fern Paquet, Jr.) through early sectionals of :26.2 and :55. With five-sixteenths of the mile to go, Ben McNeil encouraged Looney Dune to accelerate away, and she responded by mounting an eight-length lead while driven out to a 1:51.2 triumph. Tiger Boudoir (Truman Gale) wedged through up the pegs to claim the runner-up spot, while Jinxy’s Delight (John MacDonald) rallied off stalled cover to take third, another length back. John McNeil, III trains Looney Dune, whose sixth seasonal win increased her career tally to 39. For Ben McNeil, the win capped a driving double on the nine-race card. Chris Lems, John MacDonald, and Fern Paquet, Jr. also accounted for two wins apiece. Live racing returns to the Miracle Mile with a 10-race card on Friday evening (Oct. 21) evening; post time is 6:45 p.m.

Rosecroft Raceway

Jonathan Roberts delivered four wins and long shot winners highlighted the Thursday night (Oct. 20) card at Rosecroft Raceway. Roberts brought home the first career winner for trainer Carlin Savage as Girlfriend Bash scored in race six. Roberts also came through for his sister Megan who owns and trains Pop Writer with Hunter and Colton LLC in 1:52.1. Jason Thompson guided Sweet Bobbie to a victory in the Mares Open Handicap in 1:51.4. Frank Milby and Brian Burton had doubles on the night. Milby scored with 68-1 shot Let It Go in race two, while Roger Plante rewarded backers of Allabouttown at 47-1.