from harness publicists around North America

Friday’s (Jan. 18) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows and Buffalo Raceway.

Perfect Chance overcomes post 9 to win top trot at Meadows

Washington, PA — Able to squeeze into a seat along the pylons after leaving from post 9, Perfect Chance made the most of her good fortune by powering to victory — her fourth in her last five starts — in Friday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000/Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.

It appeared that Perfect Chance would be stuck outside in a 27.3 opening quarter when Dave Palone steered her into the fifth spot. The 3-5 favorite followed the first-over cover of Anastasia Whinnie and drew off late to score in 1:54.3, a tick off her lifetime best. Action-Broadway rallied for second, 3 lengths back, while Anastasia Whinnie saved show.

Ron Burke trains Perfect Chance, a 6-year-old daughter of Andover Hall-Perfect Patty who now boasts career earnings of $266,814, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Tony Hall drove five winners on the 15-race card while Palone enjoyed a triple.

— Evan Pattak

Buffalo Raceway
Hailstorm Volo, affectionately known as the “little guy” in the stables, won the $11,000 featured trot in 1:59.3, for owners, Anthony Gruppo, Tim Bojarski, and Jack Flanigen, here at Buffalo Raceway Friday night (January 18), over a fast track. It was the first win this season for the 5-year-old Classic Photo gelding. Leaving from the post three in the field of eight, trainer-driver Jack Flanigen put Hailstorm Volo on the lead, and the gutsy gelding cut all the fractions in the race, on a cold windy night, :30, :59.2, and 1:30.1. A :29.2 last quarter-mile put the winner a neck in front of second place finisher Keystone Orion (Ray Fisher, Jr.) at the finish line. Columbia County (Jamie Dunlap) came in third. The $5,500 share of the winning purse put Hailstorm Volo’s season’s earnings at $8,250 and $98,540 lifetime. It was his 13th win in 57 lifetime attempts. Driver Dan Noble led all drivers with five wins on the night.