from harness publicists across North America

Monday’s (July 11) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Tioga Downs, Monticello Raceway and Ocean Downs.

That’s Justice scores second straight Open win at Tioga

Nichols, NY — Phil Fluet and That’s Justice took home the featured $16,500 Open Handicap Pace at Tioga Downs on Monday for the second straight week.

Fred Brown photo

That’s Justice was a 1:52.2 winner in the Open Handicap Pace.

Leaving from post position five, Fluet settled That’s Justice in fourth along the pylons as Lahaye (Brandon Simpson) stepped out to an early lead with favorite Winbak Dimensions (Jimmy Marohn, Jr.) settling in second through an opening panel of :27. Lahaye continued to control the field as they reached the half-mile mark in :56.1, however strong pressure came in the third panel from That’s Justice who cleared the leader by the three-quarters in 1:24.1.

As the field rounded the final turn Fluet asked for more and That’s Justice responded, opening up on the field to win in 1:52.2. Red Star Paylater (Ed Hensley) used the cover from That’s Justice to finish second, while Winbak Dimensions, despite being shuffled on the pylons from a quitting Lahaye, found room late to finish third.

That’s Justice, who won as the 6-5 favorite in last week’s Open Pace returned a generous $9.70 to win for his loyal supporters.

Corey Braden posted a driving triple on Monday evening’s 13-race card, while Fern Paquet, Jr. and Phil Fluet each scored doubles.

— Dustin Ross

Monticello Raceway
Talk about consistency. How about Giant T? On the July 11 card at Monticello Raceway, the veteran trotter scored a two length triumph in a time of 2:00.3, which was his seventh victory in his last nine starts. Jimmy Taggart, Jr. was in the sulky again for trainer Bob Beauregard and he sent the 5-year-old altered son of Giant Hit to the lead from post position four but they didn’t make the front end until they neared the quarter-mile marker which was trotted in a soft :30. From there Giant T and Taggart trotted three equal quarters in :30.1 en route to their second consecutive victory. Giant T rambled home two lengths ahead of Juiced Up and driver Kevin Hough with R George and Rick Harp another length back in third place. Giant T paid $4.00 for win. Since the King of the Castle Stable plunked down $4,000 for Giant T on April 14 and moved the trotter to the Beauregard Stable, the trotter has notched all eight of his seasonal victories as well as adding two seconds and one third to the 11 outings he’s had for his new owners. And to sweeten the deal, the 2:00.3 clocking on July 11 was a new lifetime record. Taggart’s victory with Giant T was one of three wins he had on the Monday card. He also scored with Michael Funke’s 3-year-old The Filly Princess in a 1:56.3 clocking and with Eugene Schrauben’s pacer Success Brings Joy in 1:59. With his three wins Taggart now has 138 at the meeting.

Ocean Downs
The third leg of the Dawn Trader Memorial Pacing Series was raced Monday night at Ocean Downs. In the first division Corey Callahan and First Royal N captured first place in 1:56. First Royal N is a 9-year-old gelding by Live Or Die and is trained and owned by Nicholas Callahan. This gelding has lifetime earnings of $145,256. Ross Wolfenden drove Drew Bromac N to victory in the second division in a time of 1:58.1. The 11-year-old gelding by OK Bye is trained by Les Givens and owned by Nanticoke Racing Inc. and Ron Waller. Drew Bromac N has lifetime earnings of $240,892.