from Harness Publicists across North America

Sunday’s (August 17) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Red Mile and Ocean Downs.

Dream McQueen remains unbeaten at The Red Mile

Lexington, KY — Although the KYSS were on a brief hiatus, there was still plenty of action on the 19-race Sunday night card at The Red Mile. Late closers for freshman colt trotters and freshman filly pacers looked to highlight the card on paper, and they did not disappoint on the track.

Nigel Soult photo

Dream McQueen (#3) rallied in the lane to win in 1:55.3 on Sunday.

Dream McQueen, a 2-year-old McArdle filly, kept her undefeated streak intact in the night’s seventh race, a $6,000 late closing event for freshman filly pacers. Noel Daley trains the filly for Kenneth Tucci, Red Rock Stable, and Marken Stable. The winning time of 1:55.3 equaled last week’s winning effort, as driver Andrew McCarthy was back in the bike for the victory. McCarthy also used similar tactics from last week, sitting the pocket until the top of the stretch and then letting the filly pace by down the lane with a :27 final quarter.

The win was McCarthy’s third on the night. McCarthy, who originally came from Australia to apprentice with an American farrier, has found plenty of success in the racebike this season, while working for trainer Noel Daley. McCarthy said that Dream McQueen “has done everything right so far” and is very nice to drive, with the ability “to relax during the mile and finish well.”

McCarthy said the filly is slated to continue in the late closing series in Lexington, with the remainder of this season’s schedule to be determined.

McCarthy was not the only driver winning at a good clip on Sunday night, as Hall of Famer Mike Lachance visited the winner’s circle five times. Lachance won three late closing events, and also sprung a 10-1 upset with Sugar’s Pride in the Open Pace, winning in 1:51.1.

Chris Loney also bagged four winners on the card.

— Gabe Prewitt

Robinson celebrates birthday with Ocean Downs win

Berlin, MD — Only four days remain in the 60th anniversary live-racing summer meet at Ocean Downs after the 10-race card on Sunday night.

Popular local driver Ray Robinson, Jr. solidified his third-place driver rankings in the 40-day meet with a fourth-race win as pilot for 6-year-old gelding Jim Bob Walton (1:56.3, $8.80). It was a special night as “Shorty” was celebrating his 39th birthday while logging his 29th win of the current meet and his 986th career victory.

The Maryland Standardbred Fund Races will be contested at Ocean Downs during the final week of the meet. Top 3-year-old trotters and pacers are featured on Wednesday, August 20, while the state’s top 2-year-olds take to the track on Thursday, August 21. In addition, the final leg of the prestigious Hal Belote Memorial Trotting Series is on the card on Wednesday, August 20.

— Jim Whittemore