from harness publicists across North America

Wednesday’s (April 27) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Harrington Raceway, Saratoga Casino and Raceway, Buffalo Raceway and Monticello Raceway.

Tough Challenger sets track record at Harrington

Harrington, DE — Nanticoke Racing and Jim Morand’s Tough Challenger ($13.60, Morand) set a new track record Wednesday for 4-year-old trotting horses with a 1:56.1 win in the $18,600 Open Trot at Harrington Raceway.

Fotowon photo

Tough Challenger crossed the wire in a track record 1:56.1.

Trained by Les Givens, the 4-year-old You Betcha stallion made his move on pacesetter Allmar Surprise shortly after the half-mile mark where he steadily gained on that rival and eventually cleared her near the three-quarters. Once in front, the winner drew clear by a length over Second Hand News and Photo Maxx at the wire.

Tough Challenger broke the former mark of 1:57.2 which was held by Impel Hanover.

It was one of four winners for Morand on the card. Tony Morgan and Brad Hanners each had three winners.

— Matt Sparacino

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Linda Goldstein broke her maiden in the first race of the Wednesday evening card at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The 3-year-old trotter wired the field from post position three and notched a winning time of 2:01.4. Linda Goldstein is a Credit Winner filly out of Hawaiian Viva and is trained and driven by Kim Crawford for owner Steven Goldstein.

Buffalo Raceway
Something that you usually don’t see at the track occurred Wednesday night at Buffalo Raceway. As usual the eight horses in the ninth race started in consecutive saddle pad numbers. After the two laps around the half-mile track they crossed the finish line in saddle pad order. The odds of this rare occurrence are actually 40,320-1. Somethingtobelieve and driver John Cummings, Jr. started from post one and they were the first to cross the finish line. Favorite Shes A Yankee Baby with Jack Flanigen finished second after starting from post two. While Cocoabella (Kevin Cummings) finished third after starting from the three post. The remaining five horses crossed the finish line in consecutive order of their saddle pads, completing the rare occurrence.

Monticello Raceway
For years — 17 to be exact — Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr.’s name has been atop the Monticello Raceway leaderboard at season’s end and this year he’s again making a run at the title. On Wednesday, Zeke reined two winners and last year’s champion, Bruce Aldrich, Jr., had three wins. And what seemed early to be an Aldrich runaway has now turned into a nip and tuck battle for supremacy among the two local tail-setters. As of the Wednesday program, Parker has 112 wins to Aldrich’s 105. And it’s been no secret that Aldrich is seeking another driving title. But to see Parker, at age 57, just as sharp as he’s ever been will surely pose an obstacle for Aldrich.