from Harness Publicists across North America

Friday’s (April 3) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Saratoga, Pocono Downs, Cal-Expo and Buffalo Raceway.

Saratoga Springs, NY — Trainer-driver Ray Schnittker continued a strong start at Saratoga on Friday night as he recorded a training-driving double for the second consecutive evening. Schnittker, who trained and drove Deweycheatumnhowe to a win in last year’s $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands, often makes appearances at Saratoga throughout the year and has enjoyed a big week.

After a double on Thursday night, Schnittker came back with another pair of scores on Friday as his Grain Of Truth and New Hampshire Boy trotted to wins on the evening. New Hampshire Boy went wire to wire to score his win while Grain Of Truth had to go last to first to gather in his first win of the year. Schnittker will return to the Spa on Saturday night when he brings two more members of his talented stable to town with Great Soul and Ideal Michael set to compete on the night portion of the double header.

The afternoon part of the Saturday double header will start at 12:45pm with the nightcap set to begin at 7:05pm. There is no Sunday racing at Saratoga for the next two weeks due to the Palm Sunday and Easter holidays.

— — Mike Sardella

Super Eighty Eight Surprises In Pocono Feature

Wilkes Barre, PA — Joe Pavia Jr. and Super Eighty Eight pulled off a stunner at 20-1 in the featured Open pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Friday night.

Pavia put the 7-year-old gelding from the barn of trainer Mark Ford on the front end early, and endured strong winds without any cover. Even-money favorite Extender N drew close to the front-runner on the final turn but went off-stride. From there, Super Eighty Eight was just able to hold on to his big lead, which dwindled to a half-length at the wire. Crawdad finished 2nd and Civil Attack was 3rd. Super Eighty Eight crossed the line in a winning time of 1:57.

Owned by All Star Racing Inc. of Towaco, NJ, Super Eighty Eight won for the 3rd time in 11 starts this year and the 29th time in his career. The winner’s share of the $25,000 purse pushed the gelding’s career earnings over $419,000.

— By James Beviglia

Hitchiker blows his opponents away at Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Open 1 Handicap trotters, racing for a $6,500 purse, were co-featured at Cal-Expo on Friday night (April 3), on which Hitchiker wouldn’t be caught.

Bred and owned by the Desomer Stables and trained by Vickie Desomer, Hitchiker won ($6.00) by 3-1/2-lengths, in 1:57, thus equaling a seasonal mark while recording his 23rd career victory in just his 41st career starts. TV Mom (Lemoyne Svendsen) finished in second, and Meringue (Rick Plano) finished another three-quarters of one-length farther back, in third.

Co-featured on the card were Open Handicap distaffers, also racing for a $6,500 purse, on which Flirtiscape avenged an unlucky mile from the week before.

Owned by Larry Keethe, Nick Ruscigno and John Darrah, the Lou Pena trained pacer would stop the timer at 1:55.2, pacing her final-quarter in a strong wind-aided :26.2. Don’t Tempt Me (James Kennedy) finished in second, and Sintillating (Tim Maier) finished another 3-1/4 lengths farther back, in third.

Perhaps the highlight of the Friday night card was race six when Rude Awakening won for driver Rich Wojcio, thus giving Wojcio his 3,500 career triumph.

“I’m very grateful to get to that plateau,” said Wojcio. “I want to thank all of the people who gave me an opportunity to drive their horses. A very special thanks goes out to my family for being behind me right from the beginning.”

— Scott Ehrlich

Holliday wins both Opens in front running style

Hamburg, NY — Driver Ken Holliday found the best way to combat the awful weather was to put your horse on the lead, and never look back. This method was instrumental in winning both the Open Trot, and The Filly and Mares Open Pace, each with a purse of $9,000, for owner Betty Tauber of East Brunswick, NJ.