by harness racing publicists across North America

The Friday (May 20) edition of Racing Roundup includes feature stories from Buffalo Raceway, Tioga Downs, Saratoga and Vernon Downs.

Striker Ace pulls a stunner in Buffalo Open Trot

Hamburg, NY — There were three divisional track record holders in Buffalo Raceway’s $10,000 Open Trot on Friday (May 20) night but their past credentials didn’t impress Striker Ace ($22.40) as he rallied to a half length stunner over Lutetium in a seasonal best 1:56.4.

Steve Roth photo

Striker Acre pulls a shocker in the Buffalo Open Trot.

Striker Ace (Todd Cummings) had to battle the likes of BZ Glide, Lutetium and Strong Hope who all have their names in the Buffalo Raceway record book. But the only one who really was involved was the pace-setting Lutetium as the other two were non-factors.

At the start, as expected, Lutetium (Kevin Cummings) fired right to the top with Striker Ace and Red Clay in tow. Hitting the three-quarter pole in 1:27.0, the threesome pulled away from the remainder of the field and were left to see who was best in the stretch.

Lutetium was on the inside with Red Clay and Striker Ace attacking from the outside. It was the late kick of Striker Ace who was the king as he turned back Lutetium while Red Clay (Shawn McDonough) took third.

It was the second victory in four seasonal starts for Striker Ace (Striking Sahbra-No Sugar Tonight). The 6-year-old gelding is owned by trainer John Mungillo and Finish Line Investors. The win upped his 2016 earnings to $8,854 and $117,810 lifetime.

Racing will continue on Saturday (May 21) at 7 pm with 11 races scheduled.

For more information including the latest news, race replays, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.

— By Brian Mazurek

Tioga Downs

Vernon invader A Penny Earned ($6.80) employed a change of tactics on Friday (May 20) evening at Tioga Downs, stalking cover and lunging to the line for a 1:55.3 triumph in the featured $11,000 Open Trot. After a slow start, Mike Simons pointed the 7-year-old Conway Hall gelding second-over on the backstretch, drafting with the live cover of Its Payday Friday (Dan Clements) after Lucid Thoughts (Tom Jackson) rated a :57 initial half. The favored pacesetter accelerated en route to the far turn, reaching three-quarters completion in 1:25.3, but he would ultimately be headed off the far turn by the steadily advancing Its Payday Friday. A Penny Earned angled off cover at head-stretch, battling to a half-length win in the last yards. Its Payday Friday held second narrowly over B L Class Act (John Cummings, Jr.), who mounted a stand-side rally after being shuffled to last on the far turn.Trainer George Ducharme co-owns A Penny Earned with the partnership of Ross, Fontaine, and Oliva. Jeffrey Long and Jim Taggart, Jr. both recorded driving doubles on the eight-race card. Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (May 21), with the first of nine races slated for a 6:30 pm post time.

Saratoga

Godiva Seelster (Camluck) made her return to the Spa a winning one on Friday (May 20) night. The Dan Hennessey-trained mare competed at a high level this winter and spring at Pompano Park in Florida and handled the adjustment back to the north with ease as she scored in the $15,000 Open Handicap for Fillies and Mares. Godiva Seelster left quickly and wound up sitting the pocket to the race’s favorite in the 1-1/16 mile Friday (May 20) feature. After three-quarters went in a quick 1:25, the leader tired when confronted by longshot My Spring Fling (Jim Devaux). Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey found clearance around the final turn and snuck Godiva Seelster off the pylons and she charged hard to get by My Spring Fling t0 secure her third victory of the year. My Spring Fling, who was dismissed at odds of 50-1, finished a strong second while Bettorhaveanother (Frank Coppola Jr). came on to earn the show spot. Godiva Seelster, who is owned by Paul and Patti O’Neil of Saratoga Springs, stopped the timer in 2:00.2 for the 1-1/16 miles. Live racing continues on Saturday (May 21) night at the Spa with a first post time set for 6:45 pm.

Vernon Downs

Regina Dewhurst’s Pounce K ($16.60) made sustained progress from the race’s midpoint en route to a two length victory in Friday (May 20) evening’s featured $7,500 top-level Miracle Mile Trot at Vernon Downs. Chris Lems was in no hurry with the 6-year-old Donato Hanover gelding, sitting second to last in the initial stages while Winding Hill (Jimmy Whittemore) engaged Ulster (Brian Russo) in a speed duel through fractions of :28 and :56.1. As the battle intensified on the backstretch, Pounce K began his extended uncovered bid, working into second on the far turn as Winding Hill claimed an outright lead. Pounce K ultimately reeled in Winding Hill at the eighth pole, stretching out his lead and holding two lengths clear of a resurgent Ulster for a 1:55 win. Walk the Floor (Angus MacDonald) rallied from last to take third. Dave Dewhurst trains Pounce K, now a 20-time winner. John MacDonald led all drivers with a treble on the 11-race card. Live racing returns to Vernon Downs with a 12-race card on Saturday (May 21) evening, featuring a pair of New York Sire Stakes races for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings. First post is slatedfor 6:45 pm.