from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (April 1) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Buffalo Raceway and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Strong Hope doesn’t fool around at Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — It may have been April Fool’s Day but Strong Hope wasn’t joking around at all in Buffalo Raceway’s $10,000 Open Trot on Friday night as he registered a $17.40 surprise in a seasonal best 1:58.3.

Steve Roth photo

Strong Hope used a late rally to win Buffalo Raceway’s Open Trot.

Lutetium did the dirty work on the front end, setting splits of :28.4, :59.2 and 1:29.1 over the fast track. Strong Hope cruised along in second and was just waiting for the race for home. That’s where things got interesting as Lutetium felt an onslaught coming from all directions. Northern Bullet and Justgottogetthere were coming on the outside while Strong Hope went inside.

Driver Jack Flanigen gave Strong Hope some encouragement in the passing lane and he responded positively with a :29.1 last panel to draw off to a 1-3/4 length advantage over Northern Bullet (Jim Morrill Jr.). Lutetium (Ron Beback Jr.) and Justgottogethere (Jim McNeight) were in a dead heat for the show spot.

Owned by Nancy Knockwood and trained by Joe Agostino, Strong Hope (CR Excalibur-Spring Lane) is a 9-year-old horse that has produced two wins in 12 starts in 2016, putting $16,441 in the bank. The victory also upped his career earnings to $516,324.

Beback finished the night with three victories in the sulky while Flanigen, McNeight and Drew Monti all posted doubles on the card. Trainer Joe Agostino conditioned a pair of winners.

Racing will continue on Saturday night with a 12-race program scheduled for 6 p.m. There’s a $1,129 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the fifth race. For more information including the latest news, race results, replays and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.

— Brian Mazurek

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Ella V Horse (Royal Mattjesty) scored a wire-to-wire win in the Friday feature at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Stephane Bouchard pointed the 9-year-old mare out to the front end in the $13,000, 1-1/16th mile Winners Over for Fillies and Mares and despite fast fractions of :26.1 and :55.4 in the first half she had plenty left for the stretch drive. Ella V Horse turned back the late challenge from Bettorhaveanother (Frank Coppola Jr.) before stopping the timer in 1:59.3. Campanile (Austin Siegelman) was parked out for the duration of the race and still toughed it out to finish third. It was the second victory of the season for Ella V Horse, who was the race’s co-favorite in the wagering at odds of 2-1. The win was the second on the evening for trainer Andy Sardella whose Im A Nice Girl (The Panderosa) set a lifetime mark of 1:55.2 on Friday night. Stephane Bouchard was the evening’s sulky star as the veteran reinsman piloted six winners on the card. Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with first post time set for 6:45 p.m.