Racing Roundup: Southwind Tabor wins Yonkers Open Handicap
December 6, 2009,from Harness Publicists across North America
Saturday’s (Dec. 5) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Yonkers Raceway, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, Northfield Park and Batavia Downs.
Yonkers, NY — Southwind Tabor (Ryan Anderson) wound up with the best trip and the best result Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $36,000 Open Handicap Pace in 1:54.3.
Starting inside his seven rivals, Southwind Tabor sat pocketed to Lucky Bettor (Greg Grismore) through “sloppy” fractions of. :28.1, :58.1 and 1:25.4.
Jeremy’s Successor (Jordan Stratton) was gallant first-up, getting by the leader before getting beaten a nose by the winner. Giddy Up Lucky (Jason Bartlett)–the 3-2 choice–Lucky Bettor and Legal Litigator (Dan Dube) completed the cashers.
For Southwind Tabor, a 6-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding trained by Dennis Laterza for owner Mario D’Abruzzo, he returned $11 (fourth choice) for his ninth win in 39 seasonal starts.
— Frank Drucker
Skipper Jove takes Saratoga feature
Saratoga, NY — Skipper Jove is one of the top contenders to become Saratoga Gaming and Raceway’s Pacer of the Year when the awards are given out in a couple of weeks. The Dave Byer owned and trained pacer is having by far his best season at Saratoga and recorded his sixth win of the season on Saturday night.
The evening’s feature was the $13,000 open two and it served as a class drop for the top flight pacer. Mark Beckwith was at the lines as Skipper Jove moved to the lead early. He never experienced a dull moment and was pressured every step of the way before stopping the timer in 1:54.3. Released at 8-5, Skipper Jove held strong before drawing away late in the stretch to move his earnings to over $84,000 for the season.
— Mike Sardella
Camcoder takes Northfield Open Pace
Northfield, OH — Tony Coder’s Camcoder ($5.60), an 8-year-old son of Cam’s Magic Trick, easily won Northfield’s $6,000 Open Pace, taking control at the quarter pole, getting a 30.1 second quarter and cruising to an open length victory over Lite Me Up in 1:55.3. Soul Patrol raced third for the entire mile. Aaron Merriman drove the winner for trainer Robert Rogan. It was his 10th seasonal win and pushed his career earnings to $207,133.
— Keith Gisser
Batavia Downs Casino Summer-Fall Meet ends
Batavia, NY — The 63rd season of live harness racing came to end on Saturday night (Dec.5) at Batavia Downs Casino before a large crowd, thanks to some great weather, a super racing program and a very popular promotion.
“I can’t believe the numbers we did,” Mike Kane, Vice President of Live Racing said. “It was our second best handle of the season and you couldn’t find a seat in the clubhouse. The racing department put out a great card and the pick-6 promotion certainly brought people to the racetrack. It was definitely a great way to end the season.”
One horse that will be sad to see season come to a close is former Batavia Downs track record holder Michael Scores, who made it three in a row at the Genesee County oval, when he came from off pace to win the $9,000 Open Handicap pace in 1:56.1. Once again Kevin Cummings was at the controls for Jim and Sandy Compton. Michael Scores, one of the most popular horses to ever race in Western New York notched the 70th win of his career.
— Todd Haight