by harness publicists across North America

Friday’s (Jan. 29) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Yonkers Raceway, Woodbine Racetrack, and Buffalo Raceway.

Tessa Seelster wins Friday distaff at Yonkers

Locally-debuting Tessa Seelster (George Brennan, $7.90) overcame one eight hole and seven elders Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $32,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Tessa Seelster overcame post eight to win Friday’s distaff feature at Yonkers Raceway.

It turned out to be an outside-assigned, two-speed number, as Tessa Seelster and Inittowinafotune (Jordan Stratton) both left around a dormant Regil Elektra (Brian Sears). It was Tessa Seelster making the lead well before a :27.3 quarter-mile.

From there, she finished off her rounds ( :57, 1:24.4, 1:53.2…plus an elongated inquiry regarding a possible cutting-the-cones violation). Inittowinafortune took her shot in the lane, but missed a head, with slight 2-1 favorite Rockn’ Ruby N (Dan Dube), Regil Elektra and Dune in Red (Mark MacDonaldfjr third choice Tessa Seelster, a 4-year-old daughter of Shadow Play co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Jonathan Newman, she’s now 3-for-3 this season. The exacta paid $200, with the triple returning $1,392. The former Ontario standout was a six-figure purchase before this season by her new connections.

The Raceway’s live season continues Saturday night, with a dozen races and a first post of 7:10 PM.

— Frank Drucker

Woodbine Racetrack
Winning is never easy in harness racing, but Betit To Getit and Marquis Volo have been making it look effortless this winter at Woodbine Racetrack. Betit To Getit, a 6-year-old pacing mare, and Marquis Volo, a 4-year-old trotter, came to Woodbine Friday riding respective win streaks. However, only one was able to head home with their win streak intact. Trained by Rick Zeron, Betit To Getit entered Friday night’s C$30,000 Mares Preferred on a three-race win streak. The daughter of No Pan Intended had won eight of her last nine starts. Driven by Zeron, Betit To Getit got away third in the early stages, while Ms Mac N Cheese cut out an opening-quarter of :26.3. Waasmula was quickly moved from second to first entering the backstretch, which led to Zeron pulling on the right line to send his mare towards the front. After being parked by the half in :54.4, Betit To Getit cleared to the front and marched the field by the three-quarter pole in 1:23.2. In the stretch, Ms Mac N Cheese came off the pylons from third and was able to power by Betit To Getit to score a neck victory in 1:52.1. Sandbetweenurtoes unleashed a strong final-quarter to edge out Betit To Getit for second. A 4-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover, Ms Mac N Cheese is trained by Richard Moreau for owner L David Ratchford. Friday’s victory was her first of 2016 and 15th overall. Ms Mac N Cheese pushed her career bankroll over C$400,000 with the victory. Although Betit To Getit saw her win streak snapped, the Rick Zeron trainee has now hit the board in 10 consecutive starts. Earlier in the card, Per Henriksen trainee Marquis Volo scored his third consecutive victory and 10th in his last 12 starts in a Non-Winners of Three or $75,000 lifetime event. The 4+-year-old son of Credit Winner got away fourth, but was quickly moved to the front by driver Randy Waples. The second-quarter move was the winning move, as Marquis Volo went on to win comfortably in 1:55.4. Marquis Volo is owned by Tor Jan Larsen, Gerald Stay, Mac Nichol and Big Als Stable Inc. The Henriksen trainee broke his maiden in his fourth career start last August and has since gone on to win 10 of 12 starts. Marquis Volo now has C$91,794 in career earnings. Friday night’s card also featured a $114.80 winner.

Buffalo Raceway
Cold Certified ($4.30) proved to be too hot to handle in Buffalo Raceway’s $10,000 Open Trot Friday night (Jan. 29) with a convincing 1-1/4 length victory over Strong Hope in 1:59.1 over the fast track. After competing at Yonkers and Woodbine Raceway since November, Cold Certified (Shawn McDonough) seemed to adapt well to his new home at the Hamburg half-mile oval. Lutetium, as usual, darted straight to the lead from the eight post while Cold Certified was able to draft along in second place through fractions of 29.0, 59.1 and 1:29.4. At the top of the stretch, Lutetium began to call it a night while Cold Certified was just getting into gear. Dropping into the lightning lane as soon as possible, Cold Certified roared to the top and posted a 29.1 last quarter to draw away smartly for the victory. Strong Hope (Jack Flanigen) rallied for second with Im The Cash Man (Drew Monti) taking the show spot. Cold Certified (Kadabra-I Like Stephanie) is co-owned by Paul and Ronald Louis Viele and is trained by Alex Giuliani. It was the first victory in three starts this season for the 7-year-old gelding. Cold Certified has now earned $7,330 in 2016 and $438,337 in his career. Driver Kevin Cummings continued on a torrid pace, getting four victories on the night. He now has seven wins in the past two race cards. Trainers JD Perrin and Giuliani each had doubles. acing will continue on Saturday night at Buffalo Raceway with a 12-race card scheduled for 6 p.m.