by harness publicists across North America

Monday’s (Dec. 20) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Dover Downs, Harrah’s Chester, The Meadows and Pompano Park.

Solano wins fourth straight in $32,500 Delaware Special

Fotowon photo

Corey Callahan drove Solano to a 1:52.4 win in the $32,500 Delaware Special.

Dover, DE — Solano won his fourth in a row with a gritty 1:52.4 triumph in the $32,500 Delaware Special Monday at Dover Downs.

Corey Callahan drove Solano into the lead from outside post 8 and then shook off a lengthy challenge from Cadence N and Tony Morgan for most of the last half-mile to persevere by a half-length. Johnny Waite trains and co-owns the No Pan Intended-Bloodstock Nilator 5-year-old with Wade and Kathleen Wyatt. Eagle All closed strongly for Eric Goodell to finish second. Cadence N held gamely for third.

Harrah’s Chester
Facing his toughest foe yet in Meirs Hanover, John Barnard’s St Elmo Hero capped a perfect 19-for-19 season with a 1:50.1 triumph in the $50,000 final of the Blue Route Late Closing series, which culminated Monday (December 20) afternoon at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack. After winning his three preliminary legs by a combined 12 lengths, St Elmo Hero once again assumed command on the first turn, tracked throughout by Meirs Hanover (Yannick Gingras). At the top of the stretch, Tim Tetrick called upon the Charles Eustis-trained St Elmo Hero, and he dug in gamely to narrowly prevail over Meirs Hanover.

The Meadows
Golden Receiver waited patiently in the pocket Monday, then poured through the Lightning Lane to capture his second straight $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows. Marty’s Charm led the field through a sharp three-quarters in 1:23.3 but could not withstand the late surge of Golden Receiver, who blazed the final panel in 27.2 and scored in 1:51.1 for Dave Palone. Marty’s Charm was 1-1/4 lengths back in second with Handsome Prince third. Mark Harder trains Golden Receiver, a 5-year-old Village Jove-Royal Gold gelding who now boasts $386,725 in career earnings, for Stable 45, Richard Taylor, Stephen Springer and Nina Simmonds.

Pompano Park
Although he is a force to be reckoned with every time he’s in a race at the South Florida venue, it’s no stretch to nickname Anthony Napolitano the “Monday Evening Man” at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. On the Dec. 20 card the former meet champion at Pompano reined three winners, with a pair of those from his own barn. It certainly proved that his performance one week ago, on Monday, Dec. 13, was no fluke when he was in the bike behind five winners and a scored pair of training victories.