from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (July 18) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Yonkers Raceway, Buffalo Raceway, Saratoga Casino and Raceway and Vernon Downs.

Robin Cruiser, Tober win Friday co-features at Yonkers

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night (July 18) $44,000 co-featured Open Handicaps—for distaff pacers and membership-worthy trotters–were won by a pair of down-the-roads in Robin Cruiser (Jordan Stratton, $14) and Tober (Jason Bartlett, $5.20).

Mayra Escamilla photo

Robin Cruiser won the co-featured Open Handicap pace on Friday night at Yonkers Raceway.

Robin Cruiser, leaving from post position No. 6 (in one notch after an inside defection), worked around pole-assigned Icommandmyspirit (Larry Stalbaum). She then took it to the house, with weigh stations of :27.3, :56.4, 1:24.4 and 1:52.4.

Monkey on My Wheel (Brian Sears), as has been her MO, floated away for an early seat before trying it first-up. However, the 3-5 favorite couldn’t look the leader into the eyes and Robin Cruiser had a length lead into the lane.

Icommandmyspirit tried Robin Cruiser up the cones but missed a half-length, with Monkey on My Wheel, Jonsie Jones (Pat Berry) and Virgin Mary (Eric Goodell) rounding out the payees.

For Robin Cruiser, a 5-year-old homebred daughter of Yankee Cruiser owned by Pinske Stable and trained by Julie Miller, it was her fourth win in 13 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $104.50, with the triple returning $356.50.

The week’s marquee trot saw tepid 8-5 choice Tober, in play from post No. 4, lead at every interval (:28, :58, 1:26.1, season’s-best 1:54.2). Slight second choice Coraggioso (Sears) tried the same tactic as Monkey on My Wheel—leaving from an ordered outside post and trying it first-up.

Tober fending off that one’s advances, opened up 2-1/4 lengths in and out of the final turn, then held off a cones-skimming The Triple Lindy (Eric Carlson) by a neck. Third went to Coraggioso, with Dewycolorintheline (Stratton) and Zooming (Goodell) settling for the remainder.

For Tober, a 6-year-old state-bred gelding co-owned by (co-breeder) Kristie Leigh Farm & Joseph Betro and trained by Ed Hart, he’s now 8-for-20 this season. it was his third win in 11 ’14 starts. The exacta paid $32.20, the triple returned $104 and the superfecta paid $369.50.

Saturday night’s feature is the $125,000 final of the Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace for 2-year-old colts and geldings.

— Frank Drucker

Buffalo Raceway
Jon Win got a softer task Friday night (July 18) in the featured $8,400 Trot at Buffalo Raceway and found things to his liking with a convincing 1-3/4 length victory over Serious George in a seasonal best 1:59 over the fast track. After battling in Open competition the past four weeks with a pair of seconds and a third place finish, Jon Win ($6.60) took a step down and proved to be too much for his six rivals. Watching a mad dash to the quarter-pole between Keystone Bernard, Sack Full Of Gold and Four Starz Credit, Jon Win and driver David McNeight III just bided their time. Going first-over past the half, Jon Win took advantage of the hot fractions set on the front end of 29.0, 58.1 and 1:29.1 and just waited for the stretch. In the drive to the wire, Jon Win was in perfect position and was much the best as he gobbled up ground and pulled away from the field, beating the late-closing but non-threatening Serious George (Jack Flanigen). The tiring Keystone Bernard (Kevin Cummings) held on for third. Owned by Paul and Ron Viele and trained by Alex Giuliani, it was the fifth victory in 21 starts this season for Jon Win (Chip Chip Hooray-Melinda Hall). It increased his season earnings to $39,878 and $344,238 lifetime. There are just two racing cards left on the 2014 season at Buffalo Raceway. The action continues on Saturday night with a 12-race card set for 6:40 p.m. while the finale will be Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Obrigado went last to first to record his third consecutive victory in the local Open Trot at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Acquired by trainer Paul Kelley last offseason, Obrigado (Boy Band) came to town after a 2013 campaign in which he went an incredible thirteen for thirteen in the win column. Assigned the outside post in the Friday’s $17,000 Open, Obrigado got away last but put in a big backside brush and despite a wide journey charged past his rivals in the stretch to win a photo with longshot Just Make Believe (Stephane Bouchard) who had to settle for second. You Rock My World (Shawn Gray) finished third in his first start in the local Open in a race clocked in 1:55.4. For Obrigado, it was the third straight win in the local feature and fourth on the season. Kim Crawford has been the regular driver for the 4-year-old trotter throughout his time at the Spa. In 34 career starts, Obrigado now has 25 victories. Live racing continues on Saturday night with NY Sire Stakes highlighting the card. There are two non-betting races scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm with first post time for the wagering part of the program beginning at 7:05 pm.

Vernon Downs
Jaipur used a pocket trip to full advantage Friday night in winning the $9,000 Open Trot in 1:55. Sent off at 10-1 Jaipur (Conway Hall-Artemisia Ambrosio) followed the favorite House Money for three-quarters of the mile before pulling the pocket and notching his third win of the year. Alexandra Berube trains for owner Jerry Clark. Aaron Byron, Joe Nassimos, & Fern Paquet Jr registered driving doubles on the evening. HHYF (Harness Horse Youth Foundation) concluded its five day camp with two exhibition races Friday night. Mackenzie Rosenberg assisted by Claude Huckabone III & Rebecca Thomas assisted by Adam Capizzano was victorious. Other participants in the camp included Jacob Bouck, Cameron Gray, Andrew Lounsbury, Sophie Norton, and Danielle Stormes. HHYF now moves onto Pocono Downs. Vernon Downs offers a 10-race card Saturday evening with first post 6:45 pm. Destiny USA gift cards will be given away ranging from $100 up to $250.