by Matt Sparacino

Wednesday’s (Sept. 16) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Harrington Raceway and Vernon Downs.

Powerful Charger repeats at Harrington

Harrington, DE — Jim King Jr. and Tim Tetrick’s Powerful Charger ($5.40, Victor Kirby) prevailed Wednesday (Sept. 16) in the $16,000 Open Trot at Harrington Raceway in 1:55.2.

Fotowon photo

Power Charger won the Open Trot at Harrington on Wednesday in 1:552.

Trained by co-owner King Jr., Powerful Charger took advantage of a contested early battle where Chinese Cuisine parked Enrico As, who both finished out of contention, before mounting his assault and reeling in stretch leader Tough Mac for the win. Five Towns finished third.

It was the 10th win of the year for Powerful Charger, who surpassed $100,000 in seasonal earnings with the win. It was the second straight night that the King Jr. stable teamed up with driver Kirby to win Harrington’s featured race, after winning the Fillies and Mares Open Tuesday with Purrfect Bags.

Kirby also piloted the winner in the sub-featured $12,500 Open II, as Tirade Hanover ($3.80) was victorious for trainer/co-owner Leigh Raymer in 1:55.1.

Kirby had three wins on the program. Allan Davis and Pat Berry each had a double.

— Matt Sparacino

Vernon Downs
Briefly headed by odds-on favorite Asset Management in mid-stretch, Express Jet ($6.50) battled back in the final yards to just prevail in Wednesday evening’s featured $7,000 top-level distaff pace at Vernon Downs. The 6-year-old Jereme’s Jet mare controlled the terms from the outset, uncontested through the first six furlongs in 1:27.1 before facing a challenge from the first-over Asset Management (Dan Daley). In upper stretch, Express Jet briefly was headed, but she fought back gamely to not only reclaim the lead, but to also stave off pocket rival Love You Bye (Jimmy Whittemore), who chased valiantly in third once availed room, missing by just a half-length. Trainer John MacDonald was in the bike behind Express Jet, a 1:54.4 winner over good going. MacDonald earned four other driving wins on the evening’s 10-race program, teaming up with Kyler’s Valentine ($6.50, 1:54.2), The African ($4.40, 1:59.1), I Saw Red ($3.60, 1:54.4), and Winbak Heavenly ($2.40, 1:52.1). Live racing returns to Vernon Downs with a 14-race program on Friday (Sept. 18) evening, featuring New York Sire Stakes events for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Post time is 6:45 p.m. (EDT).