from harness publicists across North America

Thursday’s (July 24) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Vernon Downs and Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Three straight for Seascape Hanover at Vernon

Vernon, NY — Seascape Hanover (Camluck-Skateboard) claimed the $8,000 feature race at Vernon Downs on Thursday night to extend her winning streak to three in the month of July.

This win, however, was a move up in company as she scored in an Open I pace and did it impressively, powering away from her competition in the lane to win by six lengths in 1:52.

Seascape Hanover (Aaron Byron) took control before the field moved to the first turn and led the way through fractions of 27.2 for the quarter, 55.2 for the half, and 1:23.2 for three quarters. Artic Byrd (Truman Gale) was second through the early stages before being passed by a first-over Oceans Motion (Brian Connor). However, Oceans Motion stalled in the stretch and Artic Byrd was able to get back into the second spot at the finish.

The complete order of finish was: Seascape Hanover, Artic Byrd, Oceans Motion, Upfront Secret, and Always Flash-n.

Seascape Hanover is owned by Tessa Roland of Grinnell, Iowa, and Mark Jakubik of West Seneca, New York. The trainer is Mario Dessureault.

Live racing will resume at Vernon Downs on Friday night with a 10-race program. The ninth race is the $10,000 featured Open I Trot and the 3-1 morning line favorite is A Penny Earned, who is scheduled to be driven by Justin Huckabone. Post time on Friday night is 6:45 p.m.

–Michael Chamberlain

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Montana Skies (Conway Hall) recorded her first ever local victory on Thursday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The 5-year-old mare took all of 2013 off after getting off to a great start to her career. Montana Skies had earned over $90,000 in her 2 & 3-year-old campaigns before taking last year off. Making her local debut this season for trainer Tim Dickie, Montana Skies wasn’t able to find the winner’s circle while racing in the $15,000 conditional-claimers but came into Thursday night’s $5,800 trotting race off of four consecutive third place finishes against tougher. The class drop and a cover trip served as the right formula for Montana Skies who moved off her cover and tracked down the favored Derby (Ray Schnittker) in the stretch before recording a lifetime best 1:58.4 victory with Brian Cross in the sulky. Derby, the race’s odds-on favorite came up second best while Jackie Goldstein (Kim Crawford) finished third.