by harness racing publicists across North America

Friday’s (June 9) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Buffalo Raceway, Saratoga Raceway, Tioga Downs and Hawthorne Race Course.

Racing Roundup: Studio City wins again at Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — It’s been all or nothing for Studio City this season as the 8-year-old gelding either wins or is out of the money. But for the second straight week, Studio City ($8.70) has been something as he now has posted back-to-back victories at Buffalo Raceway with a 1-1/2 length decision over Jim Dandy in a seasonal best 1:58.2 over the fast track in the $10,000 Open Trot on Friday (June 9).

It was the third win of the campaign in eight appearances for Studio City (Conway Hall-Yagot Prestige).

Steve Roth photo

Study City captures the third of his eight 2017 seasonal appearances on Friday at Buffalo Raceway.

It was a mad scramble to the lead as BZ Glide, Winkys Pride and Osprey Vision all battled for supremacy to the first quarter. When things calmed down, BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) was able to set the splits while Winkys Pride and Osprey Vision tucked in second and third respectively.

There was plenty of movement approaching the half as Kahoku was first-over while Studio City followed the live cover to the three-quarter marker in 1:28.3. Fanning out five-wide for the drive to the wire, Studio City (Kevin Cummings) was by far the fastest with a :29.4 last panel. He was able to register the 1-1/2 length win over a rallying Jim Dandy (Jim McNeight Jr.) with BZ Glide holding on for the show spot.

Co-owned by Dr. Scott Woogen and Lisa Denison, Studio City is trained by Lisa Lederhouse. The triumph pushed his seasonal winnings $14,760 and $283,470.

Cummings, Drew Monti and Ray Fisher Jr. all had triples in the sulky with Larry Stalbaum adding a double. Trainer Bob Gruber III had a pair of victories.

Racing will resume on Saturday night at Buffalo Raceway with 12 races on tap at a special 7 p.m. post time which will enable fans to watch and wager on the Belmont Stakes from Belmont Park. There’s a $584 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.

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

— by Brian Mazurek

Saratoga Raceway

Saratoga, NY — Betabcool N (Bettor’s Delight) scored her first win in the local Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Friday night (June 9). Bruce Aldrich Jr. piloted the 7-year-old Al Annunziata trainee in the $14,500 feature and wasted no time moving the 4-5 betting favorite out to the early lead. After sizzling through a first quarter in :27 seconds, Betabcool N got a big time second quarter breather before reaching the half in :57.1. Hounded by several rivals in the second half, Betabcool N held strong in the stretch and prevailed in 1:53.3. Last week’s Open winner Godiva Seelster (Wally Hennessey) came up second best on Friday while last week’s runner-up So Nice (Stephane Bouchard) had to settle for third this week. Betabcool N was the first of three winners on the night for her connections as fellow distaffers Quick Draft A (Art Major) and Tracey’s Desire (Real Desire) also scored victories for Aldrich and Annunziata. Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 10-race card set to kick off at 6:45 p.m.

Tioga Downs

Tioga, NY — Narcian Jewel (Mike Merton) steals the Fillies and Mares Open II on Friday night (June 9) at Tioga Downs. Tempus Seelster (Tom Jackson) would forge to the lead just before the first quarter (:26.3). Shutthefrontdoor (Mike Simons) would be parked out first-over and would duel with Tempus Seelster all the way to the three-quarters. Narcian Jewel ($12.00) who is trained by Al Annunziata would go three-wide at the top of the stretch. Owned by Blindswitch Racing Stable, Dolne FM Services, Frascella and Farina, the 6-year-old mare by Shadow Play would charge right by to win in 1:52.1. K J’s Caroline (Jim Taggart Jr.) would come on late to finish second. Goldstar Rockette (Aaron Byron) would end up third. Merton would have two more winners on the night. His first win was during race two with Highly Thought Of ($9.40) holding off the late running Always Dee One (Jim Taggart Jr.) in 1:53.1. Merton’s third win came with Caviar Hall ($13.00) taking the 3 year-old filly from fifth to first in the stretch just nipping Just Like Bud (Corey Braden) in 1:59.3. Tioga Downs returns to action Saturday night with a 10-race card starting at 6:50 p.m.

Hawthorne Race Course

Stickney, IL — Pacers were featured on the 12-race Friday (June 9) evening card as races two and 10 featured open-company. In the second race on the warm evening, a field of eight lined up. Leaving quickly was longshot Want Me, covering the quarter in :27.3. On the backside, Hot Rod Dylan took over through a half in :56.0. On the turn, Yankee Bounty moved to challenge through three quarters in 1:23.4. In the stretch, multiple horses battled, with Trashytonguetalker just getting up in time in 1:51.2. 50-1 shot Tyler The Terror rallied for second, while Hot Rod Dylan held third. Trashytonguetalker is owned by Terry Leonard and Chris Schick and trained by Terry Leonard. Race 10 was the second group of open company pacers with a field of eight after the scratches of Fan Of Terror and Dinky Dune. Favored was Best Man Hanover for driver Mike Oosting. Getting away for the lead was the favorite, through an opening quarter in :27.2. On the backside, Best Man Hanover maintained the lead through the half in :56.1. On the turn, Skim the Top moved out for a bid but Best Man Hanover remained in control through three quarters in 1:24.4. In the lane, Oosting kept Best Man Hanover to task, holding off Skim the Top by a half-length in 1:52.1. Mobil Big John closed to finish third. Best Man Hanover is owned by Sawgrass Farms LLC and trained by Perry Smith.