from harness publicists across North America

Thursday’s (June 5) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Vernon Downs and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Southwind Trini captures Vernon feature

Vernon, NY — Southwind Trini won Thursday’s $9,500 feature at Vernon Downs with Jim Marohn Jr. in the bike.

Fotowon photo

Southwind Trini won Thursday’s $9,500 feature at Vernon Downs.

Southwind Trini settled in third behind a battle for the lead between Market Dynamics and Love You Bye entering the first turn. After a :26 quarter-mile, Southwind Trini moved to the outside and went to the front early in the backstretch. She then led the field the rest of the way, past the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:23.3.

Artic Byrd made a challenge on the far turn, but after Marohn gave Southwind Trini mild urging at the top of the stretch, she pulled away and coasted to a three length win in 1:51.4. Artic Byrd did outlast Market Dynamics for second. The remainder of the order was Asset Management, Upfront Secret, and Love You Bye.

Southwind Trini is owned by Karma Racing Inc. and trained by Rob Harmon. It is interesting to note that the full set of connections also had the winner in the tenth and final race with Miss Sparta. These two victories made up the late Daily Double that paid $9.40.

Live racing resumes on Friday night with a 10-race program starting at 6:45 p.m. Please note that the Saturday post time at Vernon Downs has been changed to 6 p.m.

— Michael Chamberlain

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Longtime leading driver at Saratoga Casino and Raceway, Frank Coppola Jr., took a few years off from driving recently but has been back in full force in the past few weeks. On Thursday night, the veteran reinsman had his best night since returning to the track, piling up three wins on the card. Coppola completed a sweep of the early Daily Double with claiming pacer Durable (No Pan Intended). Durable, who went off at odds of 6-1, was the most publicly backed of the three Coppola winners on the card. Trotters DW’s Divine and Pocket Passer rounded out the hat trick for the 54-year-old driver. DW’s Divine started out the Thursday card with a big mutuel as the 31-1 shot outclosed her rivals to score the upset. Pocket Passer prevailed at odds of 7-1 for Coppola. The Daily Double that Coppola swept returned a hefty $339.50.