from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (Nov. 16) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Pompano Park, The Meadows, Dover Downs and Saratoga.

Rare Ranger longshot Wednesday at Pompano

Pompano Beach, FL — It’s very seldom that Bruce Ranger, the leading driver in track history at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, is overlooked at double digit odds, but that’s what happened in the conclusion of the daily double on Wednesday evening.

Skip Smith photo

Tobell returned $22.80 for a $2 win ticket in the $5,000 conditioned trotting event.

With 1-5 favorite Tom Cango, in rein to Fern Paquet, Jr., parked out almost to the half in :57.3, Ranger enjoyed a pocket trip view the rest of the way with Tobell. When the inside lane opened in late stretch as Tom Cango was bearing out and tiring, Ranger guided his charge through in on the pylons to take down the top prize in 1:57.1 and return $22.80 for a $2 win ticket. What About Brian, in rein to Tom Sells, closed from the third over position for the place prize and Tom Cango lasted for third.

Tobell is a 4-year-old Credit Winner-Spedita Hanover gelding trained by Stewart Nemiro of the Ranger Stable for owner Fred Monteleone. It was his fourth win in 20 trips this year.

In the next race, the $12,000 Open Handicap Trot, Ranger moved to the front at the quarter pole with favored Keystone Thomas. This time, however, Ranger wasn’t quite as fortunate as Smokin Dabra was angled out of the pocket turning into the stretch by driver Mike Micallef and took down the top prize over Keystone Thomas when the wire arrived in 1:54.1. Aruba Vacation with Fern Paquet, Jr. in tow followed in for third.

Smokin Dabra thus made it two straight in the top weekly trot in South Florida for owner and breeder John Bosworth. The Kadabra-Smokin Rama gelding is being trained at this Pompano meet by Noreen Paulin of the Norm Dessereault Stable.

— Frank Salive

The Meadows
Pushed five wide around the final turn, Rembrandt Spur charged through the slop to capture Wednesday’s $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot for his third straight victory. Rembrandt Spur got away an unhurried sixth for trainer/driver Dick Stillings but erased a five length deficit with his impressive late brush. He triumphed in 1:55.4, 2-1/4 lengths better than Bettis, who was hard used in the opening panel. Hardwood Chips finished third. Roy Davis owns Rembrandt Spur, a 5-year-old Pegasus Spur-Marty E gelding who pushed his career bankroll to $439,503. Eric Ledford drove three winners on the 15-race card.

Dover Downs
Second Hand News returned to his former home track a winner in the $16,500 Winners Over Trot on a rainy Wednesday at Dover Downs. With Jon Roberts at the controls the Pathway To Victory-Mohawk Super Night gelding took the lead early and was never headed in a 1:54.3 triumph. Brit Evans trains and co-owns the 9-year-old with Foulk Stables. It was his ninth win of the campaign with $134,427 in earnings for 2011. Master In Charge (Ross Wolfenden) closed strongly to finish second with Lets Get Serious N (George Dennis) taking show honors.

Saratoga
Sun Lover N continued his sensational season on Wednesday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The Eric Adsit trained pacer overcame post eight to secure his 12th victory of the year. Sun Lover N (Pacific Rocket) utilized his good early speed to make the lead in :28.3 over the sloppy track and hung on in the stretch with driver Chris Long at the controls. The 9-year-old pacer has been on a tear, rarely losing in the past three months while continuing a season that will likely end with him being named claiming pacer of the year for his level when the awards are given out next month. Sun Lover N returned $5.20 to win on Wednesday in the mile paced in 1:59.1. Amazing Stand (Joe Bongiorno) was the runner-up while Zoom On By (Dan Cappello, Jr.) earned the show spot.