from harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (December 14) edition of Racing Roundup features a results story from Yonkers Raceway, The Meadows and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Sugar Queen Gabby wins Friday feature at Yonkers

Yonkers, NY — Sugar Queen Gabby (Brian Sears) rallied from third-over Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $35,000 Open Trot.

Mike Lizzi photo

Sugar Queen Gabby came from off the pace to win Friday’s feature at Yonkers Raceway in 1:56.3.

Unhurried early from post position No. 2, Sugar Queen Gabby sat as 6-5 favorite Looking Hanover (Yannick Gingras) left around pole-sitting Rookie Mistake (Larry Stalbaum), making the lead before a :28.4 opening quarter-mile.

The people’s preference then rated a :59.1 intermission before Likeabatoutahell (Andy Miller)–who had nestled in fourth early–was out and moving again. That one prompted the issue in and out of a 1:27.2 three-quarters, with Sand Wyndham (Dan Dube) having to work to catch the tow.

All the while, Sugar Queen Gaby extricated herself from the cones, slipping out behind Sand Wyndham as Looking Hanover’s lead was slipping away. Likeabatoutahell continued his challenge, with Rookie Mistake diving inside.

However, it was Sugar Queen Gaby, sixth turning for home, offering the fleetest foot. She defeated Rookie Mistake by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:56.3. Looking Hanover faded to third, with Perfect Picture (Jordan Stratton) and Sand Wyndham completing the cashers.

For Sugar Queen Gabby, a 5-year-old daughter of Dream Vacation trained by John Stoutenberg for owner Tracy Lynn Cortese, she returned $12 (third choice) for her seventh win in 29 seasonal starts.

— Frank Drucker

The Meadows
Forced wide in a demanding 26.2 opening panel, Do Me Honor still had enough in reserve to notch a facile victory in Friday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows. Do Me Honor and Aaron Merriman hunted for a spot along the pylons in that first quarter but had to go on when none was available. The 4-year-old daughter of Cheyenne Rei-Do Me Right easily repelled the first-over challenge of NY Yankees and scored in 1:52.3. The pocket-sitting Tremor Hanover was second, 1-3/4 lengths back, while NY Yankees saved show. It was one of three wins on the 13-race card for Merriman. Bill Bercury trains and owns Do Me Honor, who extended her career bankroll to $219,388.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Tac’s Delight made his local debut a winning one in Friday night’s Open trot at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Simon Allard was in town to pilot the razor sharp trotter for trainer Rene Allard and sat patiently early on with the favored Tac’s Delight (Self Possessed) before pouncing late to get by rival Flashy Lady (Joe Bongiorno) in 1:56. For Tac’s Delight, it was the fifth win in a row. Flashy Lady was the runner-up in the final Friday feature for the year while Pay The Winner (Jim Devaux) came on for third in the $22,470 Open. Team Allard went on to win Open two with Just Like Lloyd.