from harness publicists across North America
Monday’s (September 5) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Vernon Downs, Harrington Raceway and Scioto Downs.
Thanks For Stoppin takes Open-II Pace at Vernon
Vernon, NY — Thanks For Stoppin shook loose late to secure his second season’s score in Monday afternoon’s $8,400 Open-II Pace at Vernon Downs.
Fotowon photo
Thanks For Stoppin scored in a time of 1:53.2 in the Open-II Pace.
Leon Bailey did the catch-driving for trainer Bob Bloodgood as Thanks For Stoppin ($8.70) rallied from fifth in the early going and closed from fourth with approximately 300 yards of paydirt remaining to post a 1-1/4 length victory over the pacesetting Handsome Harry in Vernon’s seventh race feature. The favorite, Shamderock, finished third.
The 1:53.2 clocking over a rain-soaked, “sloppy” course was the fastest of the day’s 11 races, and gave Patricia Hogan’s 6-year-old gelding his first local win after four appearances. The fast-closing effort resulted in the 12th lifetime tally for the bay son of Real Artist-Pacific Wildfire, who increased his career bankroll to nearly $160,000.
Veteran Rick Plano, who recorded a driving triple here last Saturday, scored with the pacers Richie The Clown (1:57.2), Dragon’s Breath (1:56.1) and The Grey Bullet (1:56.1), hiking his victory count to 32 after 60 programs and taking over fourth place on the track’s dashes-won chart.
— Jim Moran
Harrington Raceway
James Behrendt’s Harlingen Hanover (Roger Plante, Jr.-$59.40) utilized a sustained first over charge to prevail in Monday’s $18,600 Open Pace at Harrington Raceway in 1:53.2. The 5-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding wore down pacesetting Gogetembrady impressively in the stretch to win by a head while a fast closing Bad Rusty was third. It was the fifth win of the season for Harlingen Hanover, who is also trained by his driver.
Scioto Downs
Near The Limit scored his 42nd lifetime victory for trainer-driver J.D. Wengerd in winning Labor Day’s feature at Scioto Downs. The 9-year-old son of Yankee Glide was sent off by bettors at 2-1 and scored in 1:58.4. Owned by Bert Dale Hershberger, the bay gelding followed Rose Run Leah as she battled Altesse for the lead in the opening panel, which was posted in :28.3. Wengerd let Near The Limit march to the front during the second quarter and they passed the half-mile marker in a rapid :56.4. Wengerd was able to give his veteran trotter a break in the third quarter with a :30.2 fraction. Rose Run Leah tried valiantly to overtake the leader, but Near The Limit held her at bay and hit the wire a length on top in 1:58.4. It was the fifth win in 13 2011 starts for Near The Limit, and it pushed his career earnings past $330,000. Rose Run Leah held for second while the 35-1 shot Forever Incredible got up to finish third. Scioto’s leading driver Dan Noble scored a driving triple, which ties him for second in North America with 527 driving wins.