from Harness Publicists across North America

Tuesday’s (September 9) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Harrington Raceway, Monticello Raceway, and the Montpelier, Ohio Fair.

Blissful Maddie overcomes eight hole at Harrington

Harrington, DE — Larry Baron and Meadowbranch Stables’ Blissful Maddie ($34.40, Ross Wolfenden) overcame post eight on Tuesday to win the featured $20,000 Mares Junior Open at Harrington Raceway.

Fotowon photo

Blissful Maddie rallied in the lane to win for Ross Wolfenden in 1:54.2.

Trained by Josh Green, the 5-year-old Blissfull Hall mare settled behind a hot early pace where Don’ttellmewhattodo set fractions of :26.4, :55 and 1:25. Meanwhile ‘Maddie’ launched a rally from the back of the pack and held off Betting Machine and Rafaella Seelster to the wire in a time of 1:54.2.

It was her eighth win of the year as her seasonal earnings surpassed $100,000.

Magic Maverick (Tony Morgan, 1:55.2) and Witch Trials (Morgan, 1:54.2) won their respective Junior Open divisions.

— Matt Sparacino

NYSS Late Closers in Monticello spotlight

Monticello, NY — The hard pounding rain during the early morning hours made the track wet but didn’t deter the racing program nor did it hurt J-Yo when Chuck Connor, Jr. guided her to a victory on the wet racing surface in the first $10,700 division of the NYSS Late Closers for 2-year-old trotting fillies at Monticello Raceway on September 9.

Later on the card, with a much drier racetrack, Kyle DiBenedetto reined Smartina Pants to victory in the second and final split for the freshman trotters that afternoon.

Geri Schwarz photo

J-Yo made it two wins in a row with her 2:05.2 victory in her NYSS Late Closer division.

J-Yo, a daughter of Credit Winner-Striking Sibyl enjoyed a second-over trip after the half behind favored On With The Show (Jordan Stratton). Unfortunately for her connections On With The Show went off-stride after she passed the three-quarter pole which opened the door for J-Yo who was second on the outside at the time.

From there it was all J-Yo as she had five lengths on the field at the top of the stretch and coasted home an easy winner in a 2:05.2 clocking. Marquee Nights (Dan Daley), who was six lengths behind at the top of the lane, closed valiantly but was a length behind the winner at the wire. Guinevere’s Star finished third for Bill Okusko.

It was the second consecutive victory for J-Yo, who’s owned by Freddy Monteleone.

In the other division driver Kyle DiBenedetto was content to keep Smartina Pants back in the pack along the pylons in the early going while She’s Got Credit (Chuck Connor) cut early fractions of :29.4 and 1:01.1.

Luckily for DiBenedetto he didn’t have to move until the field straightened away up the backside the second time around though Smartina Pants was still in fourth position at the third stanza, some three lengths off the lead.

At that point I Honestly Loveyou and Claude Huckabone III had wrested the lead from She’s Got Credit and then they had to brace for the charge from Smartina Pants. In the lane Smartina Pants trotted around the leader and went on to a solid two length triumph in a 2:06.2 clocking which was the filly’s maiden victory. I Honestly Loveyou held on for second place while Waltzing Bertie (Harold Smith) trotted home third best.

Smartina Pants is a daughter of Credit Winner-Pure Prestige and is trained by David Dziengiel for the Salt Hill Farms Ltd.

— John Manzi

Williams County Fair opens on Tuesday

Montpelier, OH — The Williams County Fair in Montpelier, Ohio opened its two-day meet on Tuesday night with a ten-race program.

First To Cruise (Yankee Cruiser-First To Stand) remained undefeated after ten lifetime starts by taking the fastest division of the 2-year-old filly pace in 2:03.1. Charles Peter trains and drives the filly for Kevin and Deloy Appel. Chuck Campbell’s Trendy Ashley (Stand Forever-C’mon Ashley) came home first in the other split in 2:05. Gary Wrenn picked up the catch drive for trainer Rob Harmon.

Curly Top (Emile Angus-Platinum Plus) captured the lone division of the 2-year-old filly trot in 2:07.1. Jerry Lighthill is the owner-trainer-driver of Curly Top.

Rompaway Beau (Chip Chip Hooray-Rompaway Stacey) won the sole division of the 2-year-old colt trot for trainer-driver Don Harmon in 2:05.3. Rompaway Farms is the owner of Rompaway Beau.

Snow Storm Sam (Nobleland Sam-My Flirt) became just the second horse in the history of the Northwestern Ohio Colt Racing Association to go undefeated at all nine fairs in the circuit when he won the lone division of the 3-year-old colt pace. Duke Sugg trains and drives the gelding for Ivan Sugg and For The Record Stable. Snow Storm Sam had the fastest mile of the night in 2:00.2.

— Bill Peters