from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (Oct. 24) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Harrah’s Philadelphia, Batavia Downs and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Somwherovrarainbow regains her winning ways at Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — Ted Gewertz and Diamond Creek Racing’s Somwherovrarainbow (David Miller) regained her winning ways at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon in the $35,000 Open for filly and mare pacers. The race also featured top distaffers such as millionaires Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick) and Rocklamation (Yannick Gingras), as well as budding superstar Katie Said, who was driven by the returning Andy Miller.

At the start, it was Rocklamation powering her way off the wings, getting to the first quarter in :26.4. There was no rest up top however, as Regal Elektra (Vic Kirby) successfully brushed just beyond the quarter. After the half of :55.4, Somewherovrarainbow charged determinedly first-over, overpowering the leader at the three-quarters in 1:23.

It was all over from that point forward, as she went on to a four length win, stopping the clock in 1:50.4. Anndrovette cleared late to be second, while Katie Said finished third.

Somewherovrarainbow picked up her 19th career win, pushing her lifetime earnings closer to $1.3 million. She is trained by Joe Holloway and paid $37.40 to win, keying a $111.80 exacta and an $800.80 trifecta.

Open trotters were also in action on Friday over the Chester oval. The wagering public sent Bill Weaver’s NF Happenstance (Andrew McCarty) off as the favorite.

At the start, it was longshot Guiltywithanexcuse (Ron Pierce) moving out for the lead, by the quarter in :26.2. That lead was short-lived however, as Quick Deal (Andy Miller) surged past to clear, tripping the half in :56. Heading towards three-quarters, favored NF Happenstance gained ground first-over. They squared off at three-quarters, which was clocked in 1:24.4.

Quick Deal made a break at the top of the stretch, which left NF Happenstance in a battle with a fast closing Backstreet Hanover, who swept past to pull off the upset, stopping the clock in 1:53.4. She paid $44.40.

The winner is owned by David Hamm, trained by Allan Johnson, and was one of three driving wins on the day for George Napolitano Jr.

— Mike Bozich

Batavia Downs
One of the finer fields of top class trotters was assembled on Friday night at Batavia Downs and although the race had the look of a competitive contest, Lutetium proved once again he’s one tough trotter to beat as he won the $9,500 Open feature. After returning to the track from a five-week layoff, Lutetium (Kevin Cummings) found himself with a rare inside post (two) and even rarer 7-2 price. He also found himself in a familiar spot — on top of the field before they hit the eighth pole. After seating his peers with a :28.1 quarter, Lutetium strolled to the half in :58.4. When the outer flow got rolling, Second Hand News (John Cummings Jr.) was first up and got closest as the leader turned up the heat with a :29 third panel. It was then that Second Hand News faded and Lutetium extended his lead to two open lengths. Down the lane, Serious George (Jack Flanigen), who got the pocket trip the whole race, made a game rush to the wire but Lutetium held strong and coasted to a half-length victory in 1:57.4.
It was the 14th win in 27 starts for Lutetium ($9.50) and it raised his 2014 earnings to $79,940 for owner Colleen Girdlestone. The 7-year-old son of Credit Winner is trained by Mark Laidlaw. In the night’s co-feature, Escrow Blue Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) went gate-to-wire to take the win as well as a new season’s mark of 1:58.3. It was the second win in 29 starts for the 7-year-old Classic Photo mare and boosted her bank account to $25,040 for owner Vallelunga Z L. Escrow Blue Chip returned $6.20 for the win. Driver Jim Morrill Jr. strutted his stuff Friday while winning six races and taking five third-place finishes on the night. He only missed the board one time in his 12 drives. His winners included Landfair Nipper ($4.90), Escrow Blue Chip ($6.20), The Bronx Bumper ($2.60), Force Nine ($7.60), Dontch Remember ($17.60) and Outoftexas ($6.60).

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Stephane Bouchard swept the two divisions of the Gary Kamal Memorial Pacing Series on Friday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Bouchard piloted both Jokes Jet (Jereme’s Jet) and Jojo Jove (Village Jove) to wire-to-wire wins in the $7,500 divisions of the late closer series. Jokes Jet became the series’ only repeat winner as she went coast to coast in 1:57 at odds of 1-5. The 3-year-old Geoff Howles-trained filly will likely head into next weekend’s final as the favorite. Jojo Jove came up just a neck shy of prevailing in last week’s leg one but would not be denied while on the engine on Friday night. Bouchard piloted Jojo Jove to a lifetime mark of 1:57.1 for trainer Dave Byer.